Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management PlanNational Geologic Trail and the Great Washington State Birding Trail. The Revere Wildlife Area encompasses 2,291 acres in northwest

DRAFT

Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management PlanIncluding Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area Unit

September 2015

2 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands Division

Cover Photos: Swanson Lake WLA and mule deer by Justin Haug, pygmy rabbit by Mike Schroder

Name Organization City

Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH Citizen scientist SpokaneTodd McLaughlin Citizen ReardanMike Goemmel Citizen ReardanSteve Goemmel City of Davenport ReardanNathan Kieffer High school student ReardanElsa Bowen Lincoln County Conservation District DavenportLindell Haggin Spokane Audubon SpokaneMike Curry Inland Northwest Wildlife Council SpokaneLee Funkhouser Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club SpokaneRoger Hudson Wilbur Chamber of Commerce WilburJason Lowe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) SpokaneKerrin Dologhan Bureau of Land Management (BLM) SpokaneKurt Tempel Spokane Fly Fishers SpokaneMatt Erwin Agri-business CrestonGarry Schalla Inland NW Land Conservancy SpokaneChris Bonsignore Ducks Unlimited SpokaneTina Blewett Ducks Unlimited Spokane

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee Roster, April 2015

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Staff

Planning Team MembersJuli AndersonMichael AtamianJolynn BeaucheneKarin DivensJason Kunz Janet GorrellRandy OsborneKevin RobinetteMike SchroederDerek StinsonMark Wachtel

Plan Leadership and Content DevelopmentJuli Anderson, Wildlife Area ManagerLauri Vigue, Lead Lands PlannerMelinda Posner, Wildlife Area Planning Section ManagerClay Sprague, Lands Division Manager

Document ProductionMichelle Dunlop, Public AffairsPeggy Ushakoff, Public Affairs

Mapping SupportJohn Talmadge, GISShelly Snyder, GIS

Acknowledgements

3Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management Plan including Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area Unit

Swanson Lakes and RevereWildlife Areas Management Planwith Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area Unit

Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areaswith Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area Unit

September 2015

Jim Unsworth, Director, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife


Table of Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Wildlife Area Management Planning Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Wildlife Area Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Success Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Public Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Wildlife Area Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Management Approach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Property location and size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Acquisition history and purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Habitat Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Other Entities Operating on WDFW Lands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Management Consistency with Local Land Use Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Administration and staffing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Facilities and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Cultural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Ecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Soils and Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Hydrology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Ecological Systems and Ecological Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Current Climate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Anticipated Changes due to Climate Change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Continued Research and Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Recreation and Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Current Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Management Direction and Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Management Goals and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Adaptive Management/Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52


Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

APPENDIX A. Legal Description and Research Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

APPENDIX B. Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Weed Control Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

APPENDIX C. Priority Habitat and Species County Lists (Lincoln and Whitman) . . . . . . 59

APPENDIX D. Plant List and Map (Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area Unit) . . . . . . . 63

APPENDIX E. Restoration Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

APPENDIX F. Cultural Resources Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

APPENDIX G. Fire District Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

APPENDIX H. Public Process Summary (Wildlife Area Advisory Committee /District Team Review and State Environmental Policy Act) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78


Revere Wildlife AreaPhoto by Justin Haug/WDFW


Overview

Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas, which include the Reardan Audubon Lake wildlife area unit, encompass roughly 25,000 acres of shrub-steppe, grasslands and wetlands habitat in eastern Washington. These areas support mule deer, reptiles and more than 200 bird species including Columbian sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse, which are listed by the state as threatened species. All three landscapes are managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The department developed this management plan – with input from a stakeholder-based advisory group – to address the status of wildlife species and their habitat, restoration efforts and public recreation on the wildlife areas.The loss of natural habitat poses the greatest single threat to Washington’s native fish and wildlife. Washington’s wildlife areas play a critical role in maintaining the state’s natural heritage and providing habitat for fish and wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).Like other wildlife areas across the state, Swanson Lakes and Revere not only provide key habitat for fish and wildlife but also offer recreational opportunities for wildlife area visitors. Habitat restoration activities take place across Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas. Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Unit, in the Swanson Wildlife Area, consists of approximately 21,000 acres in Lincoln County, about 10 miles south of the town of Creston. Within the channeled scablands of the Columbia Plateau, Swanson contains shrub-steppe and riparian area habitats. Much of the area is rangeland and several hundred acres of restored grassland habitat. Swanson Lakes was acquired in the 1990s as a Bonneville Power Administration wildlife mitigation project, primarily for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. The area also supports mule deer, upland game

birds, raptors, songbirds, and several reptiles and amphibians. Swanson Lakes lies within one of the last remaining large areas of shrub-steppe habitat in the Columbia Plateau and is a priority for protection of imperiled species. Agriculture, development, wildfires, fire suppression, grazing and spread of exotic plants have all contributed to shrub-steppe degradation. Reardan Audubon Lake Unit, within the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, includes an 80-acre lake, wetlands, grasslands and channeled scablands all set on a 277-acre property north of the town of Reardan. The wildlife area, located in northeast Lincoln County, supports more than 200 bird and other wildlife species. Birds, especially migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, are drawn to Reardan Audubon Lake’s shallow basin for its food-rich alkaline mudflats. So many birdwatchers have been coming to this site since the 1950’s that it became known simply as “Audubon Lake.” The wildlife unit is part of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and the Great Washington State Birding Trail.The Revere Wildlife Area encompasses 2,291 acres in northwest Whitman County, nine miles southeast of the town of Lamont. It was acquired in 1992 to replace habitat lost to inundation from dams on the Snake River. Revere consists of Palouse grassland, shrub-steppe and scabland terrain with seeps and springs in the Rock Creek drainage. It supports mule deer, coyotes, badgers, various raptors and upland game birds including pheasants and quail.In recent years, WDFW has restored 1,685 acres of shrub-steppe and grassland on the Swanson Lakes unit. Restoration activities include weed control, replanting and monitoring. Shrub-steppe habitat is essential for species such as white-tailed jack rabbit, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse.


In Washington, both sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse are listed as state threatened species. Greater sage-grouse are being considered by the federal government for protection under the ESA. WDFW and its partners have worked to build the population of both grouse species at Swanson Lakes Wildlife unit. Through 2014, WDFW had released 240 greater sage-grouse on the wildlife unit. A new breeding site, called a lek, had also been established. About 205 sharp-tailed grouse were released on the wildlife area and a lek was established. Restoring shrub-steppe also means more habitat for mule deer and upland birds. Hunting for mule deer, as well as wildlife watching, is a popular activity on both Swanson and Revere wildlife areas.

Birdwatching has also been enhanced across the three units by the restoration of more than 600 acres of riparian and wetlands. Over the next eight-10 years, WDFW will continue its efforts to recover Columbian sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse species and enhance mule deer and upland game populations. This plan provides details on management goals and strategies. It also explains management challenges – such as limited funding and increased recreational use – to accomplishing those goals.

Cats-ear lily (Calochortuslyallii)Photo by Jim Cummins/WDFW


Introduction

PurposeThe purpose of the Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management Plan (Plan) is to guide all management activities that occur on the wildlife areas (WLA) and establish management priorities and objectives for the wildlife area for the next 10 years. The Plan will ensure lands are managed consistent with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) mission, strategic plan and original funding source requirements. The purpose also includes clear communication to the public on how the wildlife areas will be managed. Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, including the Reardon Audubon Lake unit, and the Revere Wildlife Area are managed under the plan.

Wildlife Area Management Planning Framework DocumentWDFW owns and/or manages approximately one million acres of land, divided into 33 wildlife areas. Each area is unique – in size, habitats, presence of threatened and endangered species, recreational uses, and types of restoration and conservation activities. Each of the wildlife areas is guided by WDFW’s mission and strategic plan. Management activities are further guided by state and federal laws, and by priorities and plans developed by staff in the department’s Wildlife, Habitat and Fish programs.This information is summarized in the Wildlife Area Management Planning Framework Document (http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/), a reference and resource for all wildlife area plans. Additional wildlife area planning and management information can be found in the 2006 Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan: http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00542/.

Wildlife Area GoalsThe goals WDFW has for the Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas support the continued achievement of the vision and include:1. Maintain or improve the ecological integrity of

priority sites.2. Provide habitat to support recovery of sharp-tailed

grouse and greater sage-grouse statewide in the ecosystem including and surrounding the Swanson Lakes WLA.

3. Maintain and enhance mule deer and upland game bird populations.

4. Achieve species diversity at levels consistent with healthy ecosystems.

5. Support and maintain appropriate recreation opportunities.

6. Offer multiple and varied opportunities for stakeholder participation and engagement.

7. Maintain productive and positive working relationships with neighbors, partners and permittees.

Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas are among 33 wildlife areas around the state managed by WDFW to provide protection of fish and wildlife and opportunities for recreation. This Plan provides the 10-year vision for the wildlife area developed by the regional and headquarters staff.The location of Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas within the Columbia Plateau is characterized by fragments of native habitat within a predominately agricultural landscape. The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area lies within one of the last remaining large areas of shrub-steppe habitat in the Columbia Plateau. Protection of imperiled species, a priority


for this area, will be increasingly more difficult with increased population, development, and climate change. Estimates of the remaining amount of original shrub-steppe habitat in eastern Washington range from 40 to 48 percent (Welch 2005). Lincoln County is reported to have a 62 percent loss of shrub-steppe (Dobler et al 1996). Agricultural conversion, residential development, wildfires, fire suppression, unsustainable grazing practices and the spread of exotic plants have all contributed to shrub-steppe degradation (Johnson and O’Neil 2001).Wetlands and riparian areas are other important habitats in this otherwise arid landscape. The Channeled Scablands (described further on page 26), where these two wildlife areas are located, boast over 22,000 individual wetlands, covering over 77,000 acres. It is believed that 80 percent of all species found in this region utilize wetlands or riparian areas during their life cycle. It is estimated that over 70 percent of these wetlands have been impacted by draining or otherwise negatively altered by human activities. WDFW has partnered with other entities to restore valuable wetlands habitats at the Swanson

Lakes Wildlife Area Z-Lake and on adjacent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, and protect the valuable pond and wetlands at the ReardanAudubon Lake unit. Wetland and moist soil unit restoration, enhancement, and management play an important role in maintaining ecological integrity of the wildlife areas improving and maintaining wildlife species diversity, adding to recreational opportunities for the public, and enhancing habitats for any species, including the Columbian sharp-tailed and greater sage grouse, as well as myriad other bird species (i.e. waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds, songbirds and raptors), mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.The conservation of shrub-steppe habitat and associated species is critical to WDFW’s mission to “protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitat” in Washington state. Sustaining diverse and abundant shrub-steppe wildlife also provides Washington citizens with recreational and educational opportunities. These opportunities enhance the quality of life for local communities and can provide a reliable, long-term source of revenue (WDFW 2010).



Vision: Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Unit

The department’s vision for Swanson Lakes is for the wildlife area unit to contribute to the recovery of sustainable populations of greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer, restore native shrub-steppe, grasslands and riparian habitat and provide a variety of public recreational opportunities.

The Swanson Lakes Unit was originally established to protect the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and shrub-steppe habitat. The primary management emphasis on the unit is to provide habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, a state-listed threatened species. Swanson Lakes unit also provides year round habitat for the greater sage-grouse, which is a federal candidate and state-listed threatened species. The Swanson Lakes unit provides important spring and summer habitat for mule deer, a WDFW priority game species.

Swanson Lakes UnitPhoto by WDFW staff


Reardan Audubon Lake unit provides valuable habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, mule deer and upland birds; and offers watchable wildlife opportunities for local and regional birders. Riparian and wetland areas provide important habitat for amphibians, waterfowl and other aquatic wildlife on Reardan Audubon Lake.

The department’s vision for Reardan Audubon Lake is for the wildlife unit to provide watchable wildlife opportunities for the public, protection of wetland, riparian and shrub-steppe habitats which provide protection for migratory birds and associated wildlife species.

Vision: Reardan Audubon Lake Unit

Eastern kingbirdPhoto by Justin Haug/WDFW


WDFW’s vision for Revere is for the wildlife area unit to maintain and enhance habitat for mule deer, upland bird population; protect and enhance riparian and aquatic habitat and provide a variety of public recreational opportunities.

Vision: Revere Wildlife Area Unit

The Revere unit management focus is similar to Swanson Lakes unit emphasizing wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities. The unit is primarily managed for mule deer habitat restoration. Specifically these lands provide food and cover for pheasants and access for public hunting and fishing for trout (see pg. 16).

Mule deer on Revere UnitPhoto by Justin Haug/WDFW


Several success stories have taken place at Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units with the help of several of WDFW’s partners. These activities recognize the valuable contribution the wildlife areas make to maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity of limited shrub-steppe habitat within the state. Across the landscape, the three units play an important role in a regionally connected network of habitat areas for many wildlife species, as described in the habitat connectivity section of this document (page 29).

Sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse recoveryIn 2008, the WDFW, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), initiated a project to reintroduce greater sage-grouse to the Swanson Lakes unit. The project was designed to establish an additional population site for the species in the state. As of 2014, 240 greater sage-grouse (115 females and 125 males) have been released on the Swanson Lakes unit. With the establishment of a new lek (breeding site), observation of up to 18 males and 9 females on the lek, successful nesting and brood rearing, and observation of non-marked males and females indicating local recruitment, the translocation project has so far been considered a success.WDFW, in cooperation with the Colville Confederated Tribes, has translocated 368 Columbian sharp-tailed grouse from central British Columbia, southeastern Idaho, and north-central Utah to Washington state in spring 2005–2013. The goal of these translocations was to augment isolated native populations. About 205 of the sharp-tailed grouse were released on the Swanson Lakes unit. Monitoring of the translocated birds showed integration with the local population, including successful nesting and brood rearing by translocated hens. Lek monitoring in the area also showed small increases in counts in the years following release, as well as the establishment of a new lek in the area.

RestorationShrub-steppe and grassland restoration is a significant management activity on the two wildlife areas. Restoration activities include weed control, replanting and monitoring. On Swanson Lakes unit, a total of 1,685 acres of shrub-steppe and grassland restoration was achieved to benefit sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer, greater sage-grouse and white-tailed jackrabbit. Z-Lake has been the site of a successful riparian restoration project in which 50 acres of wetland, 570 acres of non-forest riparian habitat and 40 acres of forest riparian habitat were restored in the Lake Creek basin. This project provides nearshore habitat improvement for species by restoring functioning wetlands, increasing shallow water storage in the vicinity of Z-Lake, providing habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other species. Restoration activities on the Swanson Lakes unit have been funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, the sale of Duck Stamps, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Ducks Unlimited and the Recreation Conservation Office. For a summary of restoration activities conducted, please see Appendix E.

Coordination with Partners WDFW works collaboratively with partners, including the BLM, which owns about 30,000 acres of shrub-steppe in the Twin Lakes and Telford Recreation Areas, adjacent to the Swanson Lakes unit. Over the last 15 years, the two agencies have coordinated habitat management and restoration activities, conducting grouse monitoring, translocation, and implementing habitat and wildlife protection measures. This includes the provision of BLM funding for research by Washington State University and over 100 acres of shrub-steppe and grassland restoration on the unit, see Appendix E. The National Audubon Society designated Swanson Lakes unit and the surrounding BLM-owned and privately-owned lands within the Lake Creek drainage as a state-level Important Bird Area

Success Stories


because of the sage-grouse and habitat restoration work. Working in conjunction with Trout Unlimited, wetland and riparian restoration of Z-Lake on Swanson Lakes unit has created a popular trout-fishing opportunity. Near the Revere Wildlife Area (Packer Creek), there has been a successful cooperative effort between BLM and WDFW on developing 30-acre food plots for mule deer and pheasants.

Reardan Audubon Lake – Washington Birding TrailThe Reardan Audubon Lake unit has been added to the “Palouse to Pines” Washington Birding Trail. Inland Northwest Land Trust, Spokane Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, City of Reardan, Lincoln Conservation District and Reardan Chamber of Commerce are committed to cooperatively preserving and developing this unique ecosystem and wildlife-viewing site. Partnerships are the key to the success of this acquisition. This project implements the Washington state Legislature’s directive to develop wildlife viewing sites near small rural communities. In addition, 179 distinct plant species and 10 plant associations have been identified on the wildlife area (Appendix D), including two rare habitat types – Palouse Prairie grasslands and vernal pools (see definition on page 29).

Public ProcessThe Wildlife Area Management Planning Framework Document includes the overall statewide strategy for involving the public and stakeholders in the wildlife area planning process and recommendations for customizing the public involvement process for each wildlife area, depending on local site conditions and stakeholders. For Swanson Lakes planning process, the public process included three elements: 1) public and Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) meetings; 2) development and distribution of fact sheets, meeting announcements and news releases; and 3) solicitation of public comments through the department website, phone and email. A complete summary of the public outreach activities is included in Appendix (H).

Sage-grousePhoto by WDFW staff


Wildlife Area Overview

This section will provide a description of each of the two wildlife areas including property location and size, acquisition history and purpose, leases, habitat management, local land use planning, working relationships, management challenges, administration and staffing, facilities and maintenance and cultural resources.

Management Approach

Property location and size The Swanson Lake Wildlife Area includes two units, Swanson Lake and Reardan-Audubon Lake.The Swanson Lakes unit encompasses 21,000 acres in Lincoln County in eastern Washington, approximately 10 miles south of Creston, 20 miles west of Davenport and 60 miles west of Spokane (maps 1, 2). The major habitat types within the unit include shrub-steppe, riparian, wetlands, vernal pools, channel scablands and former agriculture fields, with average elevation at 2,275 feet. The majority of the unit was rangeland, with old Conservation Reserve Program fields, several hundred acres of restored grassland habitat, and a small amount of leased cropland that continues to be farmed.The Reardan Audubon Lake unit is located in Lincoln County just north of the town of Reardan (maps 1, 3). It includes 277 acres of wetlands, vernal ponds, grasslands, channeled scablands, and uplands supporting more than 200 species of birds and other wildlife, with average elevation of 2,500 feet. Over 180 distinct plant species have been identified on this unit (Asher and Swedberg 2006 - Appendix D). The wetlands and lakes provide critical habitat in the

dry arid environment to both local and migratory wildlife. It is also important for regional water quality, since this unit is the headwater source for both Crab Creek, which drains west to the Columbia River, and Deep Creek, which drains east to the Spokane River. Roughly 80 upland acres have recently been restored to Palouse Prairie grassland. The Revere Wildlife Area includes 2,291 acres located in northwest Whitman County and 13 miles east of St. John (maps 1, 4). Vegetation consists primarily of shrub-steppe and 150 acres of irrigated agricultural land leased for hay production, with average elevation of 1,175 feet. The agricultural land provides food for upland birds and mule deer and income dedicated to operations and maintenance. Over the last 10 years, several small food plots have been developed. Dryland agriculture is the primary land use in the watershed. Anglers fish for rainbow and brown trout in Rock Creek. Rock Creek is not stocked with fish but, during high water, trout emigrate downstream and occupy waters on the wildlife area. Prior to WDFW ownership, the area was used for cattle grazing.

Map 1: Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas


Map 2: Swason Lakes Wildlife Area


Map 3: Audubon Reardan Wildlife Area Unit


Map 4: Revere Wildlife Area


Acquisition History and Purpose

Swanson Lakes unit was purchased with two funding sources: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Washington Recreation Conservation Office. The majority (12,796 acres) was purchased by BPA during the 1990s, and later deeded to WDFW. The land was purchased for the mitigation of shrub-steppe and riparian habitat loss due to construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. Between 1991-1992, the remaining acreage was purchased with funds from the Recreation Conservation Office (RCO). BPA provided funding for initial habitat restoration and provides ongoing operations and maintenance of the Swanson Lakes unit. For access to the BPA contract details see the following link:https://pisces.bpa.gov/release/reports/ReportViewer.aspx?RptName=PISC1099S+SOW+Work+Ele-ments+Milestones&rs%3aFormat=PDF&piContrac-tAgreementRevisionID=18628.The WDFW leases two sections of Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land (1,280 acres, included in the 21,000 acres), which are managed as part of the Swanson Lakes unit. These lands are managed consistent with wildlife area management practices. This land is managed primarily for wildlife habitat and for public recreation, including 20 acres that provide water access for fishing.

The Reardan Audubon Lake unit was purchased in 2006 with RCO’s Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program - Critical Habitat funding. The focus of the acquisition was for wildlife habitat protection for migratory birds (primary shorebirds and waterfowl) and wildlife viewing. This property was acquired with support from the Spokane Chapter of the Audubon Society and the Inland Northwest Land Trust. The Reardan Audubon Lake unit provides outstanding wildlife viewing of migratory shorebirds, waterfowl and birds of prey. Conserving this important public recreation asset and protecting this significant wildlife habitat were the primary reasons for purchase of the property.

Revere Wildlife Area was purchased with funding from the Snake River mitigation funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1992. These mitigation lands replaced shrub-steppe and riparian wildlife habitat and public fishing access impacted by the construction of dams on the Snake River. The Revere WLA is primarily managed for mule deer habitat restoration. Specifically, these lands provide food and cover for pheasants and access for public hunting. Income derived from the existing agricultural lease provides the operation and maintenance funding for this site.


Habitat Management

Fire History & Management

Fire History While wildfires historically burned most shrub-steppe portions of the units every 30 to 35 years, the fire regime has been altered since modern settlement of the area due to grazing, agriculture, and fire suppression (LANDFIRE 2010). Fire management, in particular, helps maintain a mosaic of plant communities and prevents excessive accumulations of fuels. However, if large fires were to become too frequent or too intense, vegetation could be altered in favor of invasive annual grasses.Nine fires occurred on or near the Swanson Lakes unit since 2004 (see table 1). Most of these fires were human-caused, but a few were caused by lightning.

Fire Management Fires ignited in the area of the Swanson Lakes unit are initially fought by the Lincoln County Fire District. Larger fires prompt state mobilization with DNR, federal fire-fighting entities, and additional fire districts. WDFW has firefighting agreements with the three fire districts in the Swanson Lakes area (Appendix G). Wildlife area staff also renew their state “red card” certifications each year, so that they may assist with various tasks during fires that affect the Swanson Lakes unit.

Table 1. Fire History on or near Swanson Lakes Unit

Year Name Estimated Acres

2004 Hatten Road Fire 7,2132005 Wall Lake Fire 5,1782007 Stehr Road Fire 1,3772007 Highland Road Fire 1,2022008 Swanson Lakes Fire 18,0582012 Apache Pass Fire 23,2742012 Grant Road 62012 Twin Lakes 302012 Lone Pine 5


Agriculture Leases Agricultural activities occur on the wildlife areas primarily to produce food and cover for wildlife, and secondarily for commercial purposes. WDFW issues and manages agricultural permits/leases to private individuals to conduct agriculture on wildlife areas, as well as conducting its own agricultural activities. These activities provide multiple benefits including:

1) providing food for resident and migratory wildlife; 2) providing income for operations and maintenance activities; 3) supporting working lands of ranchers and farming neighbors; and 4) maintaining hunting opportunities, primarily of mule deer.There are two agricultural leases, a 104-acre hay plot on Swanson Lake unit, and a 150-acre hay plot on the Revere WLA.

Other Entities Operating on WDFW Lands

Mule deerPhoto by Justin Haug/WDFW


Local Land Use PlanningBoth units of Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area fall under the jurisdiction of Lincoln County, and land use must be consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, Shoreline Management Plan, and Critical Areas Ordinance. Revere Wildlife Area is located within Whitman County and is subject to the county’s

corresponding local plans. Lincoln and Whitman counties are currently updating their Shoreline Management Plans and Critical Areas Ordinances. The Wildlife Area is consistent with the current and expected land use designations of these plans (Table 2):

Management Consistency with Local Land Use Plans

Table 2

Wildlife Area UnitsComprehensive Plan Land Use Designation

ZoningShoreline

Management Plan Designation

Comments

Swanson Lakes Residential, agriculture and rangeland

Agriculture Rural 84% of Lincoln County land use is agriculture lands

Reardan Audubon Lake Residential agriculture

Residential agriculture

Rural* Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 100-year floodplain

Revere Agriculture Rock Creek designated as a shoreline

Any work (grading, filling, building construction, etc.) within the 200-foot buffer of the shoreline requires a permit.

*The lakes are designated as shorelines of the state and the environment is rural, however they are considered “Unnamed.” Lincoln County Shoreline Master Program

Working RelationshipsSurrounding land ownership includes BLM, DNR, and private property. BLM and Swanson Lakes unit employees closely coordinate management to protect and maintain healthy shrub-steppe habitat. Several

neighbors are active members of the Wildlife Area Advisory Committee. WDFW’s Private Lands’ biologists also work with neighboring farmers on habitat management cost-share programs and other public-private partnerships.


Management Challenges

Challenges that will influence management for the two wildlife areas over the next 10 years include:1. limited operations and maintenance funding; 2. inconsistent restoration success;3. increasing numbers and diversity of public users; 4. and influences of climate change.

Swanson Lakes WLA Unit• Operations and maintenance funding provided

by BPA needs to be continuously adjusted for inflation. Each year it becomes more challenging to complete required operations and maintenance activities on the wildlife area.

• Wildfire risks are increasing on the wildlife unit (see table 1) due to climate changes and associated drought. As a result, wildlife area staff is coordinating with the Lincoln County Conservation District and BLM to develop low-fuel buffers along strategic roads.

Reardan Audubon Lake Unit• Located adjacent to the town of Reardan, the

unit benefits from a local audience. WDFW must manage neighbor concerns about increased traffic on local roads.

• Lack of dedicated funding for routine operations and maintenance

• Balancing public interest in additional access and facilities (including new trails) with potential impacts to wildlife.

Revere Wildlife Area • Operations and maintenance funding is limited

to the revenue generated by the agricultural lease. Volunteers help maintain boundary fences and signs, but this is not consistent or predictable in the long-term.

• Increased public use requires more staff time to manage facilities such as parking, and to coordinate activities between different user groups (e.g. equestrian groups and hunters).

• Time and effort it takes for wildlife area staff to access the wildlife area. Revere is located approximately 70 miles from the Swanson Lakes office.

Wood nymphPhoto by WDFW staff


Administration

Administration and staffingDay to day management of both wildlife areas is the responsibility of staff based out of headquarters at the Swanson Lakes unit. Other activities (e.g. wildlife surveys) are often undertaken by other agency staff and experts in coordination with wildlife area staff. Personnel consists of one full-time Wildlife Area Manager, one full-time Wildlife Area Assistant Manager, and one career seasonal Natural Resource Worker.

Facilities and MaintenanceActivities on WDFW lands include maintaining fences, roads, trail, signs, campgrounds, facilities and performing weed control. The goal is to ensure wildlife areas facilities and infrastructure remains in good working order over time. Maintenance activities on the Swanson Lakes unit are consistent with BPA guidelines.According to the Office Financial Management, there are 26 structures recorded on the Swanson Lakes unit (4 barns, 7 sheds, 2 shops, 2 residences, garage, water tower, etc). Revere WLA has one barn documented on site.

RoadsThere are approximately 48.6 miles of roads within the Swanson Lakes unit. Public access to the wildlife area is provided on 1 mile of WDFW road (not named) leading to the headquarters office, on 12 miles of county road which bisects the wildlife area, and about 8 miles of county road that runs along the perimeter of the wildlife area. In addition to public access roads, WDFW has a 35.6 mile network of interior roads and trails (not named) that are for administrative use only. The names of the county roads that bisect and run along the perimeter of the

Swanson Lakes unit are Schuster, Lone Pine, Grant, Whittaker Lake, Schoolhouse, Hatten, Highland, Swanson Lake, Seven Springs Dairy, Reiber, Telford, Cole Ranch, and Valley Roads.There are no roads accessible to vehicles on the Reardan Audubon Lakes or Revere units.

Fences Fences are used on the Swanson Lakes unit to control trespassing cattle and to control motorized vehicles (e.g., ATVs, jeeps, etc).

Weed controlThe goal of weed control in this Plan is to maintain or improve the habitat for fish and wildlife, meet legal obligations, and protect adjacent private lands (See Appendix B).

Cultural ResourcesState and federal law requires the protection of cultural, geological, and other non-renewable resources. Such resources may not be removed unless determined to be beneficial to wildlife, habitat, or for scientific or educational purposes. WDFW coordinates with appropriate agencies and tribes for the protection of such resources whether it is the public or department staff who are initiating an activity that will affect cultural, archaeological or historic resources. This includes the removal of various rock formations, Native American artifacts, plants, seeds, and other items. The Spokane Tribe and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation collect traditional tribal foods on the wildlife areas. Please see Appendix F for a detailed cultural resources summary.


Soils and Geology The Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units are located on the Columbia Plateau, which was created by lava flows hundreds of feet thick, modified by glacial action and scoured by repeated floods during the Miocene and Pliocene eras. This fairly level, rough topography is called the Channeled Scablands and includes features such as plateaus, buttes, and channels. Channels are made up of outwash terraces, bars, loess islands and basins. The plateaus contain circular mounds of loess (biscuits) surrounded by cobble-size fragments of basalt. Soils generally consist of silt loams with varying amounts of rock or gravel, and basaltic rock outcroppings. Specific soil types commonly found on Swanson Lakes include: Anders silt loam, Anders-Bakeoven-Rock outcrop complex, and Roloff-Bakeoven-Rock outcrop complex.Much of Whitman County (Revere Wildlife Area) is mantled by eolian (wind-deposited) silt, or loess. The loess is underlain by a great thickness of basalt. In the western part of Whitman county, large areas have been swept by floods that removed most of the loess and locally scoured the basalt to considerable depth (channel scablands) (Walters and Glancy 1969).

Ecology

Missoula FloodsDuring the last Ice Age, a finger of the Cordilleran ice sheet crept southward into the Idaho Panhandle, blocking the Clark Fork River and creating Glacial Lake Missoula. As the waters rose behind this 2,000-foot ice dam, they flooded the valleys of western Montana. Periodically, the ice dam would fail. These failures were often catastrophic, resulting in a large flood of ice- and dirt-filled water that would rush down the Columbia River drainage, across eastern and central Washington. The glacial lake, at its maximum height and extent, contained more than 500 cubic miles of water. When Glacial Lake Missoula burst through the ice dam and exploded downstream, it did so at a rate 10 times the combined flow of all the rivers of the world. The Missoula Floods left their mark along a course of more than 550 miles, extending from western Montana to the Pacific Ocean, but the most spectacular flood features were carved into the black volcanic rock terrain in eastern Washington. This rock, the “floor” of the Scablands, is basalt – a dense crystalline lava that covers more than 100,000 square miles in parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. For more information, visit http://www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org/.

Revere Wildlife AreaPhoto by WDFW staff


Swanson Lakes unit is located in the upper portion of the Crab Creek Watershed. Numerous pothole lakes, and a handful of rim rock lakes are found on the wildlife area. Drainage generally runs from northeast to southwest. Surface water is known to be alkaline. One intermittent stream, Lake Creek, runs through Swanson Lakes unit, on its way to Rock Creek. Lake Creeks’ headwaters originate a few miles northeast of the wildlife unit, and the stream widens into perennial rim rock lakes at several locations. The first of these rim rock lakes, known as Z-Lake, is located at Swanson Lakes unit.

Reardan Audubon Lake unit is located in close proximity to the headwaters of the Crab Creek watershed, north of Highway 2. Reardan Audubon Lake is 277 acres of wetlands, vernal ponds, grasslands, and channeled scablands supporting more than 200 species of birds (WWRP, 2005). The western section of Audubon Lake receives effluent year round from the Reardan Waste Water Treatment Plant, and it is believed that the lake would dry up in the summer and fall months if it did not receive this discharge from the plant (per the City of Reardan Staff). The effluent enriches the lake water and supports the surrounding wildlife, which in turn helped transform the lake into a habitat for migratory

Hydrology

birds and an aesthetic tourist site for the City of Reardan (Ecology 2012).Crab Creek drains over half of Lincoln County, with it and its tributaries generally flowing to the south and southwest off the drainage divide adjacent to the Lake Roosevelt valley. The major tributaries of Crab Creek are Rock Creek, Bluestem Creek, Lords Valley Creek, Coal Creek, Duck Lake Creek, Lake Creek, Marlin Hollow, Canniwai Creek, and Wilson Creek. Crab Creek tributaries host a number of lakes. Several of these lakes have dried out over the last several decades, which is a significant issue for surface water resources in Lincoln County. A drastic decline in stream flows and lake volume has occurred in much of Lincoln County and adjacent portions of Grant and Adams Counties (Anchor 2013).

Revere Wildlife Area is located within the Rock Creek watershed. As one of the major tributaries of the Palouse River drainage, Rock Creek makes up 13% of the entire Palouse River Sub-basin (NWPPC 2004). Also draining through the Revere Wildlife Area is Imbler Creek, which is a significantly large tributary to Rock Creek. Multiple native fish species inhabit these waters.

Reardan Audubon Lake wetlandPhoto by WDFW staff


WDFW’s strategic objectives include protecting and restoring ecological integrity of critical habitats. Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units have a total of eight National Ecological Systems of Concern on the landscape. The following text on each of these systems is taken from the Washington Natural Heritage Program website.

1 - Columbia Basin Foothill Riparian Woodland and ShrublandLow-elevation riparian system found along the mainstem of the Columbia River and associated major tributaries on the periphery of the mountains surrounding the Columbia River Basin at and below lower tree line.

2 - Columbia Basin Palouse PrairieA once-extensive grassland system, characterized by rolling topography, composed of loess hills and plains over basalt, is now limited to small patches in Washington.

3 - Columbia Plateau Steppe and GrasslandExtensive grasslands, not grass-dominated patches within the sagebrush shrub-steppe ecological system, dominated by perennial bunchgrasses and forbs sometimes with a sparse shrub layer. Often forms a landscape mosaic with the Columbia Plateau Scabland Shrubland ecological system. Very little exposed bare ground due to mosses and lichens carpeting the area between plants, comprising a biological soil crust that is very important characteristic in this ecological system.

4- Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush SteppeShrubs are dominated by Artemisia spp., and/or Purshia tridentata in an open to moderately dense shrub layer and with at least 25% total perennial herbaceous cover. The natural fire regime of this ecological system maintains a patchy distribution of shrubs, so the general aspect is that of grassland. This ecosystem can support a biological soil crust of up to 90% or more cover. Biological

soil crust cover generally decreases with vascular plant cover, elevation, increasing disturbance of soil surface, loose surface rock, and coarseness of soil so that its presence and diversity indicates better integrity.

5 - North American Arid West Emergent MarshMarshes occurring below lower treeline. Typically surrounded by savanna, shrub-steppe, steppe or desert vegetation. Occur in depressions, lake fringes and along slow-flowing streams and rivers.

6- Northern Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland and SavannaThese woodlands and savannas are, or at least historically were, fire-maintained.Summer drought and frequent, low-severity fires created woodlands composed of widely spaced, large trees with small scattered clumps of dense, even-aged stands. Fire suppression has transformed this ecosystem from open and park-like to a closed, multi-layer canopy with a younger tree cohort, often including Douglas-fir and true firs.

7- Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and WoodlandAspen forests and woodlands are a minor type found on the eastside of the North Cascades and in the Okanogan. Although aspen can be associated with streams, ponds, or wetlands, this system consists of upland aspen stands found from low to moderate elevation. Aspen can be found on well-drained mountain slopes or canyon walls that have some moisture. Rockfalls, talus, or stony north slopes are often typical sites and the system may occur in steppe on moist microsites. Quaking aspen stands originate in and are maintained by stand-replacing disturbances such as crown fire, insect outbreak, disease and windthrow within the matrix of conifer forests. Fire plays an important role in maintenance of this habitat. Quaking

Ecological Systems and Ecological Integrity


aspen will colonize sites after fire or other stand disturbances through root sprouting. Stems in established stands are killed by ground fires, but quickly resprout. Fire reduces establishment of conifers in aspen stands. A stand of quaking aspen, with sufficient fire disturbance, can live for centuries or even millennia.

8 - Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and ShrublandRiparian woodland and shrubland consisting of deciduous, coniferous, and mixed conifer-deciduous forests that occur on stream banks and river floodplains of the lower montane and foothill zones. Annual flooding is a key ecological process, and beaver activity is an important driver of hydrological change. Woodlands are often dominated by black cottonwood which is the key indicator species.

Habitat Special Features:Vernal Pools Vernal pools are typically formed in shallow depressions where soils have impermeable hardpans, or are underlain by impermeable bedrock. Vernal pools fill with water from winter rains and snowmelt and gradually dry during late spring and early summer through evapotranspiration (Crowe et al 1994). In eastern Washington, Björk and Dunwiddie (2004) found vernal pools in Lincoln County where they are limited to the flat, impervious basalt bedrock exposed by the Missoula Floods. The greatest concentration of pools was in the central channel, in and around the Swanson Lakes unit. Vernal pools sometimes support unique endemic varieties of invertebrates, such as fairy shrimp.

Stressors This section describes aquatic and terrestrial habitat stressors that may affect the functions provided by habitats in and surrounding the primary units in Lincoln/Whitman counties. The focused habitat types

are shrub-steppe, grassland, wetland and riparian, which supports functions such as foraging, breeding/nesting and migration elements for terrestrial species; and migration requirements for aquatic species. Factors that provide stress to the ecological systems within the Plan include:• Fragmentation (reduction in total area of habitat

or isolation of one habitat fragment from other patches of the same habitat)

• Land use in adjacent uplands (grazing, development)

• Hydrology changes (irrigation)• Vegetation changes (invasive species)• Historic grazing• Altered fire regime (climate change, invasive

species)• Soil surface disturbance (recreation, management

activities)• Herbicide use on plant stand diversity

Habitat Connectivity Key wildlife habitat connectivity linkage networks in the Columbia Plateau region were identified by the Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG 2012). The linkage networks, comprised of suitable habitats and the linkages connecting them, were derived from two modeling approaches: focal species and landscape integrity. The focal species approach identified important habitat areas and the best linkages between habitat areas for 10 wildlife focal species on the three units (see Table 3). Swanson Lakes unit has the highest concentration of focal species. Focal species were carefully selected to represent the connectivity needs of a broader assemblage of wildlife (WHCWG 2012). The best linkages provided the least resistance to movement between habitat areas for that animal in that area. This means that some of the linkages may not be comprised of ideal habitat, but provide opportunities for movement through a human-modified landscape. The landscape integrity approach identified core


habitat areas that were relatively free from human modification and the least human-modified linkages between them (WHCWG 2012). For more background information on the Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group analyses and data follow this link: http://waconnected.org/.Habitat connectivity management priorities for Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere are actions that will improve the habitat and linkages between habitat areas for Columbian sharp-tailed

Table 3. Habitat connectivity focal species that occur on or adjacent to Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake, and/or Revere units (not focused on species presence based on habitat modeling)

Name UNIT Listing Status*

Beaver Reardan Audubon Lake, Revere

Black-tailed jackrabbit Swanson Lakes SC

Greater sage-grouse Swanson Lakes FC, ST

Least chipmunk Swanson Lakes (HCA within 1.7 mi.)

Mule deer Swanson Lakes, Revere

Sharp-tailed grouse Swanson Lakes FSC, ST

Tiger salamander Swanson Lakes, Revere SM

Washington ground squirrel Revere FC, SC

Western rattlesnake Swanson Lakes, Revere

White-tailed jackrabbit Swanson Lakes, Revere SC

* Federal Status: FE=Endangered, FT=Threatened, FC=Candidate, FSC=Species of Concern State Status: SE=Endangered, ST=Threatened, SC=Candidate, SS=Sensitive, SM=Monitored

grouse, greater sage-grouse, white-tailed jackrabbit, and mule deer. Ongoing management and restoration of shrub-steppe, grassland and riparian habitats on Swanson Lakes unit have benefitted Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer and other shrub-steppe obligate species. As demonstrated on the following maps, the two wildlife areas play an important role in the regionally connected network of habitat areas for many wildlife species. These products are available to inform the role of existing WDFW wildlife area locations in overall landscape habitat connectivity and


can be used for purposes ranging from identifying restoration areas, prioritizing acquisitions of new or expanded ownership, species and landscape conservation, and consideration of species adaptation to a changing climate.

Linkages between habitat areas are vital to the recovery of imperiled species such as the sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse and to meet the habitat needs of mule deer.Habitat concentration areas and linkages for Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage grouse and mule deer can be found online at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/swanson_lakes/

White-tailed jackrabbitPhoto by Mike Schroder/WDFW

http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/swanson_lakes/


Swanson Lakes WLA Wildlife Diversity

The Swanson Lakes unit supports a wide variety of species, including Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, white-tailed jackrabbit, Merriam’s shrew, black tern, sage thrasher, loggerhead shrike, badger, and western painted turtle (see table 4). The combination of shrub-steppe, rocky outcrops, wetlands, and riparian corridors, provide diverse habitats. The area is essential for supporting a population of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and is also the location of a reintroduced population of greater sage-grouse. Former cropland that has been restored to native vegetation is heavily used by both grouse species. Surveys on adjacent BLM lands have identified at least six species of bats, as well as Columbia spotted frog, spadefoot toad, tiger salamander, up to six snake species, and short-horned lizard. Restoration and enhancement of shrub-steppe and riparian habitats focused on grouse also benefit mule deer and improve breeding and brood-rearing conditions for upland birds including pheasant, California quail and gray (Hungarian) partridge.

Fish and Wildlife

Reardan Audubon Lake unit attracts an abundance of waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as migrant raptors and passerines; birders have recorded 160 species at the site (eBird 2013).

The Revere WLA includes the banks of both Imbler and Rock creeks and has riparian shrubs and trees, rocky draws and upland grassland in a matrix of shrub-steppe, restored upland habitat plots, and irrigated hay fields, and is near the BLM’s Escure Ranch property. The area currently supports mule deer, upland and nongame birds. The Revere WLA is within WDFW’s pheasant focus area where habitat improvement efforts for upland birds have been one of WDFW’s highest game management priorities. Because public landownership in the focus area is limited, WDFW is providing incentives or support for work on private and other public lands. These types of enhancements directed toward upland birds can also benefit other species such as deer and non-game species that are dependent on shrub-steppe or grassland habitat. The work on private lands in the immediate vicinity expands the wildlife population benefits of public lands by decreasing gaps in quality habitat and providing corridors for movement.All three units combined provide habitat for 12 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN); two which are federal candidate species; and seven which are state listed species and additional state priority species; and 18 Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) (Table 4). The following SGCN species will continue to benefit from planned management actions on the WLAs: white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed jackrabbit, Washington ground squirrel, loggerhead shrike, sage thrasher, sagebrush sparrow, and pygmy rabbit. Additionally the Priority Habitat and Species lists of Lincoln and Whitman counties are available in Appendix C.

Mule deer Photo by WDFW staff


Table 4. State and Federal Conservation Status, WDFW Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) Criteria and Priority Areas that may occur on the wildlife areas

Common Name Scientific NameFederal/State Status/SGCN

PHS Criteria

PHS Priority Area Unit

American white pelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchos

SE 1, 2Breeding/ Regular Concentration

Swanson Lakes

Black tern Chlidonias niger SGCN 2 Breeding Swanson Lakes/Reardan-Audubon Lake

Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia SC, SGCN 1BreedingForaging areas, Regular Concentrations

Swanson Lakes/Revere

Columbia spotted frog Rana luteiventris SGCN 1 Any OccurrenceReardan Audubon Lake/Revere

Elk Cervus elaphus 3 Regular Concentration Swanson Lakes

Greater sage-grouseCentrocercus urophasianus

FC, ST, SGCN 1,3 Breeding Swanson Lakes

Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus SC, SGCN 1 Breeding Swanson Lakes

Mule deerOdocoileus hemionus hemionus

3 Regular ConcentrationSwanson Lakes/Reardan-Audubon Lake/Revere

Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis FE, SE, SGCN 1 BreedingPotential re-introduction on Swanson Lakes

Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss 1, 3 Occurrence/migration Swanson Lakes/Revere

Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus 3 Regular Concentration Swanson Lakes/Revere

Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus SC, SGCN 1 Breeding Swanson Lakes

Sagebrush sparrowArtemisiospiza nevadensis

SGCN

Columbian sharp-tailed grouseTympanuchus phasianellus

ST 1, 3 Breeding Swanson Lakes/Revere

Tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum SGCNSwanson Lakes/Reardan Audubon Lake

Townsend’s big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii SGCN 1, 2 Breeding

Tundra swan Cygnus columbianus 2, 3 Regular ConcentrationSwanson Lakes/Reardan-Audubon Lake

Washington ground squirrel Urocitellus washingtoni FC, SC, SGCN 1 Regular Concentration Swanson Lakes

Western painted turtle Chrysemys pictaReardan Audubon Lake/ Swanson Lakes

White-tailed jackrabbit Lepus townsendii SC, SGCN 1, 3 Regular ConcentrationSwanson Lakes/Reardan-Audubon Lake/Revere

Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensis 2 Regular Concentration Swanson Lakes/Reardan-Audubon Lake

Abbreviations: State endangered (SE), state threatened (ST), state candidate for listing (SC), federal endangered (FE), federal candidate (FC), federal species of concern (FSC); Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)


Greater Sage-grouse Status The declining population sizes and distribution of Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in Washington have resulted in serious concerns for their long-term conservation status. The overall population was estimated to be 902 in 2014, associated with 27 leks. The WDFW, in cooperation with the BLM, initiated a project in 2008 to reintroduce greater sage-grouse to the Swanson Lakes unit in Lincoln County. The project was designed to establish a third population in the state in an area with more than 82.8 square miles of shrub-steppe habitat on public lands. Prior to the first translocation in 2008, there were rare observations of sage-grouse in the release area. It was not clear whether these observations were birds dispersing from the closest population in Douglas County or whether these birds were ‘remnants’ from an endemic population known to occupy the area through the mid-1980s. From spring 2008 to spring 2014, 240 greater sage-grouse were translocated from southern Oregon to the Washington release site. Their movements, productivity, habitat use, and survival have been monitored. In 2010, three males were observed strutting for two hens post-release. In 2011, 656 feet to the north of the 2010 strut site a lek formed with seven males observed pre-release. Pre-release, 7, 12, and 14 males were observed on the lek in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Though the lek appears to be firmly established and growing, the overall population is still small and additional translocations of sage grouse will likely be needed.

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse StatusDeclining populations and distribution of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) in Washington have resulted in serious concerns for their long-term conservation status. The overall population was estimated to be 870 in 2014, associated with 39 leks. Translocations of sharp-tailed grouse from ‘healthy’ populations outside the state are being conducted to improve the genetic and demographic health of populations within Washington. WDFW, in cooperation with the Colville Confederated Tribes, translocated 368 Columbian sharp-tailed grouse from southeastern Idaho, north-central Utah, and central British Columbia to Washington state in spring 2005–2013. The release sites included Swanson Lakes unit. In all release sites, sharp-tailed grouse declined through the year 2005, despite the acquisition and protection of habitat and ongoing habitat restoration efforts. Efforts to monitor movement, survival, and productivity of the augmented population at Swanson Lakes unit are ongoing. About 205 of the sharp-tailed grouse were released at Swanson Lakes unit. Monitoring of the translocated birds showed integration with the local population, successful nesting and brood rearing by translocated hens. Lek monitoring in the area likewise showed small increases in counts in the years following release, as well as, the establishment of a new lek in the area. Future response of the population will determine whether the augmentations should be considered successful. The results to date have been promising.More information regarding sharp-tailed and sage-grouse recovery are located at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/birds.html.


Specific Management Concerns for Selected Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Table 5. Describes SGCN species of interest and recommended management actions for Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units

Action/management activity

Grea

ter s

age-

grou

se

Colum

bian s

harp

-taile

d gro

use

Whit

e-ta

iled j

ackr

abbit

Was

hingt

on gr

ound

squir

rel

Pygm

y rab

bit

Logg

erhe

ad sh

rike

Sage

thra

sher

Sage

brus

h spa

rrow

Burro

wing

owl

Ferru

ginou

s haw

k

Town

swen

d’s bi

g-ea

red b

at

Amph

ibian

s, ge

nera

l

Colum

bia sp

otte

d fro

g

Tiger

salam

ande

r

Rept

iles,

gene

ral

Do not facilitate killing of burrowing mammals (ground squirrels, badgers, etc.).

Protect any nursery colonies and hibernacula from disturbance (See Bat Conservation Plan, Hayes and Wiles 2013).

X

Buildings should be surveyed to determine seasonal occupancy, with appropriate precautions taken to minimize disturbance.

X X

Maintain some fish-free breeding pools including some permanent water bodies.

X X X

Maintain areas of short emergent vegetation in water bodies.

X

Prevent wetland management activities that will enhance habitat for American bullfrogs.

X X X

Management for breeding habitat: Maintain areas of short-emergent vegetation/bare soils on the edges of wetlands in areas that will be inundated by shallow water (< 20 cm) in April. Where needed, reduce the height of reed canarygrass (e.g., fall mowing, haying, livestock grazing).

X

Prevent alterations to rocky outcrops and talus. X

Avoid building structures, trails and/or roads near snake dens (hibernacula) or areas near dens where snakes are likely to disperse to and from summer habitat.

X


Table 5. Describes SGCN species of interest and recommended management actions for Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units

Action/management activityGr

eate

r sag

e-gr

ouse

Colum

bian s

harp

-taile

d gro

use

Whit

e-ta

iled j

ackr

abbit

Was

hingt

on gr

ound

squir

rel

Pygm

y rab

bit

Logg

erhe

ad sh

rike

Sage

thra

sher

Sage

brus

h spa

rrow

Burro

wing

owl

Ferru

ginou

s haw

k

Town

swen

d’s bi

g-ea

red b

at

Amph

ibian

s, ge

nera

l

Colum

bia sp

otte

d fro

g

Tiger

salam

ande

r

Rept

iles,

gene

ral

For established trails/roads near snake dens, prevent heavy use in spring (April-May) and fall (late September to early November) when snakes are most likely to be moving back to/from dens.

X

Avoid activities that would crush underground tunnels and burrows.

X


Current Climate

Table 6. Key impacts of climate change, potential management actions and information gaps for grassland and shrubland habitats (Source: Glick and Moore NWF 2009).

Grassland and Shrubland HabitatsKey Impacts• Altered hydrology including

floods and drought

• Increasing fires

• Expansion of invasive species

• Loss of endemics and species diversity

Potential Management Actions• Increase water use efficiency

• Project and restore habitat

• Change agricultural practices to reduce the need for water

• Change land use management

• Raise public awareness

Information Gaps• Migration patterns

• Species interactions

• Post-fire

The three units fall within the Okanogan Big Bend climate region of Washington (NOAA 2013a and 2013b). The annual precipitation increases from 11 inches in the valley to 16 inches over some of the Columbia Plateau. Snowfall varies from 30 to 70 inches and occurs from November through March or

April. Monthly average high temperatures in January range from 28 to 32 degrees F with low temperatures between 15 to 20 degrees. Monthly average high temperatures in the summer averages between 85 to 90 degrees with low temperatures occurring in the lower 50s (WRCC 2013).

Anticipated Changes due to Climate ChangeThis section describes the likely climate change impacts for the Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units. The following table describes key impacts to grasslands and shrub-steppe habitat features, potential management actions and information gaps.Slight changes in temperature and precipitation can substantially alter the composition, distribution and abundance of species in arid lands and the products and services they provide. For example, observed and projected decreases in the frequency of freezing temperatures, lengthening of the frost-free season, and increased minimum temperatures can alter plant species ranges and shift the geographic and elevational boundaries of many arid lands (Ryan and Archer 2008).Climate change will exacerbate existing stressors. Current management activities will help address

future climate risks; examples include monitoring tree encroachment and/or increases in invasive weeds (See Appendix B for the Weed Management Plan). Table 7 describes climate change impacts likely to occur on the Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units.Projected climate change and its associated consequences have the potential to affect greater sage-grouse and may increase the risk of extinction, as the impact from climate change interact with other stressors such as disease and habitat degradation. Under projected future temperature conditions, the cover of sagebrush within the distribution of sage-grouse is anticipated to be reduced due to non-native grass invasions making the areas prone to destructive fires. Climate warming is also likely to increase the severity of West Nile Virus outbreaks (Conley 2010) (Connelly et al 2004).

Climate Change


Table 7. Potential climate impacts, effect on habitat and management action for the Plan.

Potential Climate Impacts Effect on habitat Management Action Status

Increased risk of fire Less rebound of sagebrush Develop fire break plan and coordinate with BLM/Lincoln Conservation District

BLM taking the lead on Swanson Lakes unit/BPA lands

Decreased precipitation Increased grassland/noxious weeds, impact to wetlands

May need to manage as grassland in the future. Management actions for wetlands include: filling ditches, installing water control structures to retain water, removing non-native vegetation

Incorporated into current restoration objectives

Increased tree encroachment

Loss of sagebrush and sagebrush obligate species. Higher predator populations may impact other species (e.g. great horned owl)

Remove ponderosa pines as needed

Current activity for the past 10 years

Continued Research and StudyConsistent with our mission to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and habitat, we support independent studies to achieve wildlife area objectives. A significant amount of research has been done in the areas of shrub-steppe, wildlife and connectivity on the Swanson Lakes unit (see Appendix A). Research topics include habitat use by sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse, badgers, mule

deer, songbirds, climate change influence on water levels at Swanson Lakes, sagebrush restoration and ecological integrity monitoring. Research information will provide a source of best available science that will inform ecological integrity objectives and species management, including adaptive management for the wildlife areas.


Revere Wildlife AreaPhoto by WDFW staff


Current UseRecreation uses for all three units are focused primarily on hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, except for Reardan Audubon Lake unit, which is closed to hunting and fishing (see Table 8). Recreation activities also include limited horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking, as well the collecting of traditional foods by local tribes.

At Swanson Lakes unit, the most common public use is mule deer hunting, and to a lesser extent, hunting of Hungarian partridge and pheasant. Z-Lake is planted with rainbow trout and provides fishing opportunities to all fishing enthusiasts, including disabled anglers who have motorized access to the site. The wildlife area also attracts bird watchers and is the site of several environmental education opportunities including student tours, and work by volunteers (Citizen Scientists), who collect data to monitor the area’s ecological integrity conditions. Swanson has seven parking lots around the wildlife area boundary, and also offers multiple access points for park-and-hike activities.

The Reardan Audubon Lake unit is a no-hunting or fishing site, with motorized vehicle access limited to the two parking lots, one on the north side and one on the south. Each parking lot serves approximately 15 vehicles, includes enough room for bus parking and turn-around, an ADA-accessible vault toilet, and an informational kiosk. With Audubon Lake bisecting the unit into north and south parts, birding is the

Recreation and Public Use

predominant recreational activity. Bird watching and other wildlife viewing are enjoyed with access via a short, paved trail that is wheelchair-accessible and viewing blinds on both the north and south sides. Each blind contains two permanently-mounted telescopes, including one that is wheelchair-accessible, for a closer look at shorebirds and waterfowl. Future plans for the south trail include placement of a stone bench and several interpretive plaques.

The Revere unit is open to hunting, but is primarily used by mule deer and pheasant hunters. Occasional hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders visit the area, as well as anglers who fish for rainbow and brown trout in Rock Creek. Rock Creek is not stocked with fish but, during high water, trout will volitionally emigrate downstream and occupy waters on the wildlife area. Rock Creek upstream of Jordan Knott Road is open year-round and managed under statewide rules. That portion of Rock Creek downstream (between Jordan Knott Road and Endicott W Road) is managed as a catch and release fishery and is under selective gear rules. Two parking lots serve this area; one with approximately 20 parking spaces and one with four spaces and an informational kiosk. The interior of the wildlife area is closed to motorized vehicles, except for authorized disabled hunters and lease operators, who use the primitive dirt road in the interior of the wildlife area.


Table 8. Recreation use on Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units.

Wildlife Area/Unit Hunting Other

Recreation Restrictions Education/ Interpretation

Parking and other facilities

Swanson Lakes Mule deer, elk, Hungarian (gray) partridge, and pheasant

Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography and tribal food gathering

Prairie grouse (sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse) and jackrabbit hunting is prohibited.

Motorized access limited to authorized disabled visitors

Informational kiosk on headquarters’ access road

7 parking lots, with room for 35 vehicles

Reardan Audubon Lake

Not permitted Wildlife viewing, hiking and photography

Hunting and fishing are not permitted

One informational kiosk, 2 viewing blinds and 4 telescopes

2 parking lots, with bus parking, wheelchair-accessible paved trails, restroom

Revere Mule deer and pheasant

Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography

Motorized access limited to authorized disabled visitors

One informational kiosk

2 parking lots, one with 4 spaces and one with 20 spaces

BadgerPhoto by Mark Vekasy


Management Direction and Approach

Management Goals and Objectives This Plan sets management priorities for Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units for the next 10 years. Goals and objectives were developed by regional and headquarters staff, with input from the Wildlife Area Advisory Committee and are consistent with the WDFW mission and strategic plan.The goals of the Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units are as follows:

1. Maintain or improve the ecological integrity of priority sites.

2. Provide habitat to support recovery of sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse statewide in the ecosystem including and surrounding the Swanson Lakes WLA.



5. Support and maintain appropriate recreation opportunities.



8. WLA staff are properly trained, equipped and licensed, as necessary, to meet operation and management needs of the wildlife area.

9. Maintain safe, highly functional, and cost-effective administration facilities and equipment.

Table 9 summarizes goals, objectives and performance measures for all three wildlife areas. Objectives express actions that will be taken to achieve a goal. The measurements that will be used to report progress towards objectives are identified as performance measures. In some cases, objectives apply to all of the wildlife areas, and can be measured collectively. Tasks will be developed during implementation of the final plan.


Goal Objective Performance Measure Lead

Swanson Lakes Unit


A. Establish an ecological integrity (EI) baseline for 1) native shrub-steppe, 2) restored fields, and 3) wetland /riparian habitat and other stream habitats, and established EI goals by 2020.

1. Baseline established (y/n)

2. EI goals established (y/n)

Ecological Integrity Monitoring Team

B. By June 2016, develop and implement a shrub-steppe restoration and post-fire rehabilitation plan for Swanson Lakes unit coordinating with Region 1 Habitat and Diversity Division.

Plan developed and implemented (y/n)

Diversity/

WLA Manager

C. Annually inspect 50% of boundary fencing and gates; repair/replace as needed and as funding allows. Effort will include inspection for integrity of visual markers where placed.

1. # of miles of fencing inspected and repaired

2. # of gates inspected and repaired

WLA Manager

D. Maintain or reduce the distribution and abundance of invasive weeds based on the Weed Management Plan.

1. Shrub-steppe # of acres inspected/# of acres treated

2. Grassland # of acres inspected/# of acres treated

3. Riparian/wetland # of acres inspected/# of acres treated

WLA Manager

E. Coordinate with BLM in the implementation of the fire break plan to reduce the likelihood that fires will have a major impact on habitat.

Plan completed (y/n) WLA Manager

F. Build and maintain a citizen science network to collect ecological integrity data.

1. % of photo points collected by citizen scientists annually

2. % of vegetation plots collected by citizen scientists every 5 years


Table 9. Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units Goals, Objectives and Performance Measures.



2. Provide habitat to support recovery of sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse statewide in the ecosystem including and surrounding the Swanson Lakes WLA.

A. Annually monitor sage-grouse and sharp-tailed populations.

# of surveys conducted per year

District wildlife biologist

B. Conduct re-introductions of sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse as birds are needed and available.

1. # of sharp-tailed grouse released on site

2. # of sage-grouse released on site

Diversity/ Science/District wildlife biologist/WLA staff

C. By Dec. 31, 2017, conduct an inventory of artificial structures that may support predators and eliminate structures that support artificially high predator densities.

1. Inventory conducted (y/n)

2. % of structures identified remaining

WLA Manager/District wildlife biologist

D. Maintain and monitor the existing 10 acres of sharp-tailed grouse winter forage plots. Reassess seed mix relative to guidelines, once the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Columbia sharp-tailed Habitat Guidelines are out.

Forage plots maintained (y/n) WLA Manager

E. Conduct targeted predator control measures to protect reintroduced grouse species

# of predators controlled Diversity/Science

F. Restore former agricultural fields to native shrub-steppe, replace crested wheatgrass stands with native species, and re-establish perennial bunchgrass in areas where they have been reduced.

# acres restored WLA Manager/Diversity




A. Develop and implement mule deer management and research activities with Mule Deer Foundation or other organizations to provide quality spring/summer forage habitat in riparian areas and uplands for mule deer (e.g. high-diversity self-sustaining forb plantings, weed control, etc.).

1. # of projects developed

2. # of projects implemented

District wildlife biologist/ Private lands biologist/ WLA Manager

B. Restoration of shrub-steppe habitat to enhance upland game bird populations and other shrub-steppe obligates.

1. # of grants applied

2. # of acres restored

WLA Manager


A. Coordinate, or participate in, species habitat and population management actions on wildlife areas consistent with recovery plans, management plans, agency and program priorities, and available funding.

1. # of species for which population management actions are implemented annually

2. # of species for which habitat management actions are implemented annually

Diversity

B. Coordinate with the Science Division to expand CRP South passerine citizen science surveys on Swanson Lakes WLA within 2 years.

Implement program with Science Division

District Wildlife Biologist/Research Scientist

5. Support and maintain appropriate recreational opportunities.

A. Maintain fishing opportunities at Swanson Lakes unit.

Z-Lake aerated on schedule and frequency agreed to with Fish Program (y/n).

WLA Manager

3,000 spring fry rainbow stocked per year at Z-Lake

R 1 Fish Program

B. Monitor trout fishery at Z-Lake (e.g. periodic fish surveys and creel checks to determine stocking success and utilization, respectively).

Monitoring conducted periodically or on an as-needed basis

R 1 Fish Program




A. Coordinate and maintain a Wildlife Area Advisory Committee.

# of meetings per year WLA Manager

B. Coordinate communication with community groups about current wildlife area management activities.

Number of groups/constituencies contacted

WLA Manager

C. Coordinate and host at least two school tours annually.

Number of tours completed WLA Manager

D. Provide opportunities annually for the public and other stakeholders to volunteer on the Swanson Lakes unit.

1. # of volunteers

2. # of volunteer hours

3. # of volunteer projects on site

WLA Manager


A. Maintain existing agricultural leases that benefit wildlife

Leases maintained (y/n) WLA Manager

B. Maintain active working relationship with BLM

# of cooperative projects completed between partner agencies per five years

WLA Manager

C. Meet BPA annual reporting requirements

Annual contract approval by BPA (y/n)

WLA Manager

D. Meet DNR annual lease requirements: 1) boundary fence maintenance, and 2) weed control

DNR annual lease requirements met (y/n)

WLA Manager

E. Improve communications/ relationships with neighbors and stakeholders by producing an annual newsletter.

Published 1 x per year WLA Manager

8. WLA staff are properly trained, equipped and licensed, as necessary, to meet operation and management needs of the wildlife area.

No unique objective for this wildlife area.

9. Maintain safe, highly functional, and cost-effective administrative facilities and equipment .

A. Identify possible remedies to headquarters’ septic issues; define a plan of action and seek funding.

Identify a viable option by 2017

WLA Manager



Reardan-Audubon Lake Unit


A. Establish an ecological integrity baseline for 1) native shrub-steppe/grassland, and 2) restored fields, and 3) wetlands, and establish EI goals by 2020.




B. By June 2016, develop a riparian habitat restoration plan for Reardan-Audubon Lake unit.

Plan developed (y/n) R1 Habitat/ WLA Manager

C. Annually inspect 100% of boundary fencing and gates; repair/replace as needed and funding allows.



WLA Manager


1. Shrub-steppe # of acres inspected/# of acres treated


3. Riparian/wetland # of acres inspected/# of acres treated

WLA Manager

E. Acquire Reardan Audubon Lake Phase 2 property from Inland Northwest Land Trust by 2020.

Property acquired (y/n) District Wildlife Biologist /Lands Agent

F. Work with Inland Northwest Land Trust, Audubon, and other groups on future acquisition phases.

1. # of meetings

2. # of grants applied

District Wildlife Biologist/WLA Manager/Lands Agent

G. Build and maintain a citizen science network to collect ecological integrity data.


2. % of vegetation plots collected by citizen scientists every 5 years.








Diversity

B. Coordinate with the Science Division to expand CRP South passerine citizen science surveys on Reardan Audubon Lake unit within 2 years.

1. Implement program with Science Division



A. Install all planned remaining recreational access structures by 2020 (2 benches, ADA accessible viewing blind, interpretive signs).

All structures installed (y/n) WLA Manager

B. Work with Spokane Audubon, Inland Northwest Land Trust, and other interested groups on recreation planning and implementation on newly acquired parcels.

1. # of meetings

2. Recreation plan completed (y/n)

3. # of recreational structures installed

WLA Manager/ District Wildlife Biologist

C. Increase public awareness of impacts to wildlife by those walking off the trails to the shoreline.

Place additional signage on two kiosks by 2016.

WLA Manager




B. Coordinate communication with community groups about current wildlife management activities.


WLA Manager

C. Provide opportunities annually for the public and other stakeholders to volunteer on the Reardan Audubon Lake unit.

1. # of volunteers



WLA Manager

D. Develop cooperative projects with the Inland Northwest Land Trust for operations and maintenance activities (e.g. weed control, fence repair) on the Reardan Audubon Lake unit.

# of projects per year WLA Manager




No unique objective for this unit.

6. Properly train, equip, and license WLA staff to meet operation and management needs of the WLA.

Develop a fire district contract for the Reardan Audubon unit by 2016.

Contract developed (y/n) WLA Manager


No unique objective for this unit.

Revere WLA


A. Establish an ecological integrity baseline for 1) native shrub-steppe, and 2) restored fields, and establish EI goals by 2020.




B. By June 2016, develop a riparian habitat restoration plan for Revere WLA.

Plan developed (y/n) R1 Habitat/WLA Manager

C. Annually inspect 100% of boundary fencing and gates; repair/replace as needed and funding allows (conducted by volunteers).



WLA Manager


1. Shrub-steppe # of acres inspected/ # of acres treated


3. Riparian/wetland # of acres inspected/# acres of treated

WLA Manager

E. Acquire additional Revere property.

Property acquired by 2016 WLA Manager

F. Build and maintain a citizen science network to collect ecological integrity data.


2. % of vegetation plots collected by citizen scientists every 5 years.




2. Recover sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse populations in the wildlife area.

A. Conduct survey for sharp-tailed grouse on Revere Wildlife Area.

Surveys completed every 3-5 years

District Wildlife Biologist

B. Develop a sharp-tailed grouse identification pamphlet for WDFW volunteers and public. Include sighting report process.

Pamphlet Developed Diversity

C. Display pamphlet at wildlife area kiosks and distribute to volunteers and public.

# of pamphlets displayed and distributed

District Wildlife Biologist/WLA Manager


A. Develop and implement mule deer management and research activities with Mule Deer Foundation and Pheasants Forever and/or other organizations to provide quality spring/summer forage habitat in riparian areas and uplands for mule deer (e.g. high-diversity self-sustaining forb plantings, weed control, etc).

1. # of projects developed

2. # of projects implemented

District Wildlife Biologist/ Private Lands Biologist/ WLA Manager

B. In conjunction with any restoration work initiated in “A” above, develop a citizen science project to monitor for wildlife utilization.

Plan developed (y/n) District Wildlife Biologist

C. When the Revere acquisition is finalized, implement the Pheasants Forever habitat restoration plan.

1. # of acres seeding grass

2. # of acres seeding forbs

3. # of acres planted with shrubs

R1 Private Lands





Diversity

B. Coordinate with the Science Division to expand CRP South passerine citizen science surveys on Revere WLA within 2 years.

Implement program with Science Division





A. Maintain the recreational fishery in Rock Creek.

Monitoring conducted periodically or on an as-needed basis

R 1 Fish Program




B. Coordinate communication with community groups about current wildlife area management activities.


WLA Manager

C. Provide opportunities annually for the public and other stakeholders to volunteer on the Revere WLA.

1. # of volunteers



WLA Manager


A. Identify and maintain existing agricultural leases that benefit wildlife.

Leases maintained (y/n) WLA Manager

8. Properly train, equip, and license WLA staff to meet operation and management needs of the WLA.

A. Develop a fire district contract for the Revere Wildlife Area.

Contract developed by December 2015

WLA manager


No unique objective for this wildlife area.

Adaptive Management/Monitoring Wildlife area objectives are to be measured on an annual basis based on the associated performance measures and through staff annual evaluations. On a biennial basis, the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager will review, report and revise, as appropriate, objectives and performance measures for the next two year-cycle. Staff will engage and develop recommendations for the two-year update with the wildlife area advisory committee and regional district team. Such reporting will allow

the manager, their staff, and the regional office, to modify tasks and timelines as necessary to meet the associated objective. Further, over the term of the Plan (10 years), performance illustrates the adequacy or inadequacy of funding and capacity to successfully manage the wildlife area, potentially influencing goals and objectives in the next planning term. Ecological integrity data is also being collected by citizen scientists on the Swanson Lakes unit.


Anchor QEA. 2013. Lincoln County, City of Odessa and City of Reardan. Lincoln County Shoreline Master Program Update Draft Shoreline Inventory, Analysis and Characterization Report. Anchor QEA, LLC Kennewick. Department of Ecology Grant.

Björk, C.R. and P.W. Dunwiddie. 2004. Floristics and Distribution of Vernal Pools on the Columbia Plateau of Eastern Washington. Rhodora 106 (928):327-347.

Conley, J., B. Bloomfield, D. St. George, E. Simek, and J. Langdon. 2010. An Ecological Risk Assessment of Wind Energy Development in Eastern Washington. The Nature Conservancy, Washington Program. Seattle WA. 64 pp

Connelly, J.W., S.T. Knick, M.A Schroeder, and S.J. Stiver. 2004 Conservation Assessment of Greater Sage-Grouse and Sagebrush Habitats. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Unpublished Report. Cheyenne, WY. 610 pp.

Crowe, E.A., A.J. Busacca, J.P. Reganold, and B.A. Zamora. 1994. Vegetation Zones and Soil Characteristics in Vernal Pools in the Channel Scabland of Eastern Washington. Great Basin Naturalist 54(3): 234-247.

Dobler, F.C., J. Eby, C. Perry, S. Richardson, and M. Vander Haegen. 1996. Status of Washington Shrub-steppe Ecosystem: Extent, ownership, and wildlife/vegetation relationships. Shrub-steppe Research Project: Phase One Completion Report: WDFW Olympia, WA 47 pp.

eBird. 2013. Basic Dataset. Version: EBD_relAug-2013. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. August 2013.

Patty Glick and Lydia Moore. 2009. Setting the State: Ideas for Safeguarding Washington’s Fish and Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change. National Wildlife Federation. Seattle.

References

Hayes G., and G. J. Wiles. 2013. Bat Conservation Plan. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Olympia, WA 138 pp.

Johnson, D.H., and T.A. O’Neil. 2001. Wildlife-habitat relationships in Oregon and Washington. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon.

LANDFIRE: LANDFIRE 1.1.0 Fire Return Interval layer. U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey. [Online]. Available: http://landfire.cr.usgs.gov/viewer/ [2010].

National Park Service. 2001. Ice Age Floods Study of Alternatives and Environmental Assessment. Jones and Jones. Seattle, WA.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), 2013a. U.S. Climate Data and Maps. Accessed online at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/usa.shtml. Nov. 25, 2013.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), 2013b. Location of U.S. Climate Divisions. Accessed online at: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/data/usclimdivs/data/map.html#Washington. Nov. 25, 2013.

NWPPC (BPA) – Palouse Subbasin Plan (http://www.nwcouncil.org/media/21875/Plan.pdf) 2004.

Ryan and Archer. 2008. Land Resources: Forest & Arid Lands. In: The effects of climate change on agriculture, land resources, water resources and biodiversity (U.S. Government Report).

Walters, K.L., Glancy, P.A. 1969. Reconnaissance of Geology and Ground-water Occurrence in Whitman County, WA . United States Geological Survey.

Washington Department of Ecology. 2007. Palouse Watershed Plan. Prepared by HDR/EES, Inc. Pasco, WA.


Washington Department of Ecology. 2012. Hydrological Connection from Lake Audubon to Crab Creek http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/TMDLsbyCounty/lincoln.html.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2010. Fish, wildlife and Washington’s economy. http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01086/wdfw01086.pdf.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2011. Shrub-steppe and Grassland Restoration Manual for the Columbia River Basin. Jerry E. Benson, BFI Inc.; Richard K. Tveten, WDFW; Melissa G. Asher, BFI Inc.; Peter W. Dunwiddle, UW.

Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group (WHCWG). 2012. Washington Connected Landscapes Project: Analysis of the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion. Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA.

Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) 2005. Application (06-1897) – State Lands Development for Reardan Audubon Lake Trail Development. Recreation Conservation Office, Olympia, WA.

Welch. 2005. Big Sagebrush: A Sea Fragmented into Lakes, Ponds, and Puddles. USFS technical report.

Western Regional Climate Center. 2013. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/.


A. Legal Description and Research SummaryB. Swanson Lakes WLA Weed Control PlanC. Priority Habitat and Species County Lists (Lincoln and Whitman)D. Plant List and Map (Reardan Audubon Lakes unit)E. Restoration SummaryF. Cultural Resources SummaryG. Fire District InformationH. Public Process Summary (Wildlife Area Advisory Committee/District Team Review and SEPA)

VII. APPENDICES


Swanson Lakes WLA Unit Legal Description:

T25N, R33E: 25, 36 (DNR lease)T25N, R34E: 13, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 (DNR lease)T25N, R355: 30, 32T24N, R34E: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12, 13, and 14T24N, R35E: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18, 22, and 23

APPENDIX A. Legal Description and Research Summary

Name Date Description

Dr. Michael Schroeder, WDFW

1993 - Present Monitor and research sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse on and around the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area.

Matthew McDonald 1990s Ecology of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in eastern Washington. M. S. Thesis. University of Idaho 1998.

Kourtney Stonehouse 2010-2012 Habitat selection by sympatric, translocated greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in eastern Washington. M.S. Thesis. Washington State University, 2013.

Nick Paulson, M.S. student

2007 Spatial and habitat ecology of North American badgers (Taxidea taxus) in a native shrub-steppe ecosystem of eastern Washington. M. S. Thesis. Washington State University.

Dr. Matthew Vander Haegen of WDFW

1990 - 2000 Songbird research on and around the Swanson Lakes WLA.

Woody Myers 2002-2007 Body condition and reproduction, survival, habitat use, and seasonal movements of mule deer.

Tamara Johnstone-yellin 2002-2004 Survival of mule deer fawns in eastern Washington. M.S. Thesis, Washington State University.

Megan Halabisky, UW Ph.D. Candidate

2012 - present Pond water level monitoring at Swanson Lakes WLA.

Rick Perleberg, Reardan High School

2011- present Research includes evaluating nutritional value of sagebrush plants for utilization by sage-grouse; growth rate of sagebrush in restored sites.

Citizen Science/Environmental Integrity Monitoring (EIM)

2012 - present This public-private partnership approach has been implemented at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Data collected and uploaded to WDFW includes general habitat plot information, and photopoint locations.

Reardan-Audubon Lake Unit Legal Description:

Township 25 North, Range 39 East, Section 10

Revere WLA Unit Legal Description:Township 18 North, Range 39 East, Sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10

Research SummaryA significant amount of research has been conducted on the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Table 10 provides a summary of the important science contributions that have been made.


Weed Control Goals at Swanson Lakes WLAThe goal of weed control on department lands at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, which includes the Swanson Lakes and Reardan Audubon Lake units and the Revere WLA, is to maintain or improve the habitat for fish and wildlife, meet legal obligations, and protect adjacent private lands.To these ends, WDFW uses Integrated Pest (i.e. weed) Management (IPM), which is defined in RCW 17.15.010 as “a coordinated decision-making and action process that uses the most appropriate pest control methods and strategy in an environmentally and economically sound manner to meet agency programmatic pest management objectives.”At the Swanson Lakes WLA, WDFW’s weed management objectives are:

A. Shrub-steppe: Check up to 11,200 acres annually for maintenance needs at Swanson Lakes, Reardan and Revere units. It is estimated that between 112 and 1,112 acres requires some active management. Shrub-steppe is mostly self-maintaining, but some noxious weed control is occasionally needed. Work volume varies annually due to factors including timing and volume of precipitation, results of trespass grazing or other disturbance, fires, unusual winter or summer temperatures for a long period, etc.

B. Grasslands: Check up to 448 acres annually for maintenance needs at Swanson Lakes and Reardan Audubon units. It is estimated that up to 150 acres require annual maintenance.

APPENDIX B. Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Weed Control Plan

C. Riparian: Check up to 168 acres annually for maintenance needs at Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere units. In an average year about 28 acres are treated, of which 25 acres are primarily hoary cress and a variety of other weeds. Hoary cress is a difficult weed to locate and suppress due to the patchy nature of the infestations. In addition, early season growth often occurs in areas that are seasonally inaccessible to vehicles. In areas where we have planted shrubs and trees, an additional 3 acres are treated annually.

Weed Species of Concern on Swanson Lakes WLA:Weed species of concern on the Swanson Lakes WLA include but are not limited to: Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), whitetop or hoary cress (Cardaria draba), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), purple mustard (Chorispora tenella), common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), common mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Ventenata (Ventenata dubia) and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).Weeds occurring on the Swanson Lakes WLA and associated units are listed in Table 11. The table also describes the weed’s classification, an estimate of the acreage affected by the weed, how many acres were treated, the relative density of infestation, the general trend the weed infestation has been exhibiting, the control objective and/or strategy for the weed and finally, which wildlife units have the weed present.


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Detailed descriptions and natural history information for each of the above state-listed weed species listed above can be found at the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board website at http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/search.asp. Information on other species contained in the list can be found at the University of California’s IPM Online website: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html.Weed management information for individual weed species can be found at the PNW Weed Management Handbook link at: http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/control-problem-weeds.



These two lists represent the species and habitats identified for Lincoln and Whitman counties. This list of species and habitats was developed using the distribution maps found in the PHS list. Species distribution maps depict counties where each priority species is known to occur as well as other counties where habitat primarily associated with the species

exists. Two assumptions were made when developing distribution maps for each species: 1) There is a high likelihood that a species is present in a county, even if it has not been directly observed, if the habitat with which it is primarily associated exists. 2) Over time, species can naturally change their distribution and move to new counties where usable habitat exists.

APPENDIX C. Priority Habitat and Species County Lists (Lincoln and Whitman)

Table 12LINCOLN COUNTY PHSFishes White sturgeon

Bull trout/Dolly Varden

Kokanee

Rainbow trout/steelhead/Inland redband trout

Westslope cutthroat

Amphibians Columbia spotted frog

Western toad

Reptiles Striped whipsnake

Sagebrush lizard

Birds American white pelican

Western grebe

Eastern Washington breeding concentrations of grebes, cormorants

Eastern Washington breeding terns

Black-crowned night-heron

Great blue heron

Cavity-nesting ducks: wood duck, Barrow’s goldeneye, common goldeneye, bufflehead, hooded merganser

Tundra swan

Waterfowl concentrations

Bald eagle

Ferruginous hawk

Golden eagle

Peregrine falcon

Prairie falcon

Dusky grouse

Ring-necked pheasant

Greater sage-grouse


Birds Sharp-tailed grouse

Sandhill crane

Upland sandpiper

Eastern Washington breeding occurrences of phalaropes, stilts and avocets

Burrowing owl

Flammulated owl

Vaux’s swift

Black-backed woodpecker

Lewis’ woodpecker

Pileated woodpecker

White-headed woodpecker

Loggerhead shrike

Sage sparrow

Sage thrasher

Mammals Merriam’s shrew

Preble’s shrew

Roosting concentrations of big-brown bat, Myotis bats, Pallid bat

Townsend’s big-eared bat

Black-tailed jackrabbit

White-tailed jackrabbit

Washington ground squirrel

Bighorn sheep

Northwest white-tailed deer

Elk

Rocky Mountain mule deer

Invertebrates California Floater

Habitat Aspen stands

Inland dunes

Old-growth/mature forest

Shrub-steppe

Riparian

Freshwater wetlands & fresh deepwater

Instream

Caves

Cliffs

Snags and logs

Talus


Table 13WHITMAN COUNTY PHSFishes Pacific lamprey

River lamprey

White sturgeon

Leopard Dace

Mountain Sucker

Bull trout/Dolly Varden

Chinook Salmon

Rainbow trout/steelhead/inland redband trout

Sockeye salmon

Westslope cutthroat

Amphibians Columbia spotted frog

Western toad

Reptiles Sagebrush lizard

Birds American white pelican

Eastern Washington breeding concentrations of grebes, cormorants

Eastern Washington breeding terns

Waterfowl concentrations

Great blue heron

Upland sandpiper

Chukar

Bald eagle

Ferruginous hawk

Golden eagle

Peregrine falcon

Prairie falcon

Ring-necked pheasant

Wild turkey

Eastern Washington breeding occurrences of phalaropes, stilts and avocets

Burrowing owl

Vaux’s swift

Pileated woodpecker

Loggerhead shrike

Sage sparrow

Sage thrasher


Mammals Merriam’s shrew

Preble’s shrew

Roosting concentrations of big-brown bat, Myotis bats, Pallid bat

Townsend’s big-eared bat

Black-tailed jackrabbit

White-tailed jackrabbit

Washington ground squirrel

Moose

Northwest white-tailed deer

Elk

Rocky Mountain mule deer

Invertebrates Columbia River tiger beetle

Mann’s mollusk-eating ground beetle

Giant Palouse earthworm

Shepard’s Parnassian

Silver-bordered Fritillary

Habitat Aspen stands

Eastside steppe

Shrub-steppe

Riparian

Freshwater wetlands & fresh deepwater

Instream

Caves

Cliffs

Snags and logs

Talus


Table 14

Mel Asher and Dale Swedberg 2006

APPENDIX D. Plant List and Map (Reardan Audubon Lake Unit)

Scientific Name Common Name Duration Origin Habitat

Achillea millefolium Yarrow Perennial Native Uplands

Achnatherum nelsonii Western needle- grass Perennial Native Uplands

Achnatherum thurberianum Thurber’s needle-grass Perennial Native Uplands

Agoseris heterophylla Annual agoseris Annual Native Uplands

Agoseris sp. Large-flowered agoseris Perennial Native Uplands

Agropyron cristatum Crested wheatgrass Perennial Introduced Uplands

Agrostis capillaris Colonial bentgrass Perennial Introduced Riparian/Wet Meadow

Allium sp. Wild onion Perennial Native Widespread

Alopecurus saccatus Pacific foxtail Annual Native Vernal Pools

Alopecurus sp. Meadow foxtail Wet Meadow

Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry Perennial Native Riparian

Amsinckia menziesii Fiddleneck Annual Native Uplands

Anthemis cotula Stinking chamomile Annual Introduced Along levee

Apera interrupta Dense silky-bent Annual Introduced Widespread

Argentina anserina Silverweed Perennial Native Riparian

Artemisia rigida Stiff sagebrush Perennial Native Uplands

Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis

Wyoming big sagebrush Perennial Native Uplands

Artemisia tripartita Three-tip sagebrush Perennial Native Uplands

Asperugo procumbens German madwort Annual Introduced Riparian

Besseya rubra Red besseya Perennial Native Uplands

Boisduvalia stricta Brook spike-primrose Annual Native Vernal Pools

Bromus arvensis Field brome Annual Introduced Uplands

Bromus inermis Smooth brome Perennial Introduced Uplands

Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Annual Introduced Widespread

Buglossoides arvensis Corn gromwell Annual Introduced Uplands

Camassia quamash Camas Perennial Native Riparian

Cardaria draba White-top Perennial Introduced Uplands

Carex filifolia Threadleaf sedge Perennial Native Uplands



Carex praegracilis Clustered field sedge Perennial Native Widespread

Castilleja minor Lesser Indian paintbrush Annual/Perennial

Native Riparian

Centarium exaltatum Desert centaury Annual Native Uplands

Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed Biennial/Perennial

Introduced Uplands

Centaurea stoebe Spotted knapweed Biennial/Perennial

Introduced Uplands

Chaenactis douglasii Dusty maidens Biennial/Perennial

Native Uplands

Chamaesyce glyptosperma Corrugate-seed spurge Annual Native Vernal Pools

Chondrilla juncea Rush skeletonweed Perennial Introduced Uplands

Chorispora tenella Purple mustard Annual Introduced Uplands

Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Perennial Introduced Riparian

Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle Biennial Introduced Widespread

Clarkia pulchella Elkhorns Annual Native Uplands

Collinsia parviflora Blue-eyed Mary Annual Native Uplands

Collomia grandliflora Grand collomia Annual Native Uplands

Convulvulus arvensis Field bindweed Perennial Introduced Uplands

Cornus sericea Red-osier dogwood Perennial Native Riparian

Crataegus douglasii Black hawthorn Perennial Native Riparian

Cyperus squarrosus Bearded flat sedge Annual Native Riparian

Danthonia unispicata One-spike oatgrass Perennial Native Uplands

Descurania sp. Tansymustard Annual Introduced Uplands

Dipsacus fullonum Fuller’s teasel Biennial Introduced Riparian

Distichilis spicata Saltgrass Perennial Native Riparian

Dodecatheon pulchellum Shootingstar Perennial Native Uplands

Downingia sp. Calicoflower Annual Native Vernal Pools

Draba verna Spring draba Annual Introduced Uplands

Eleocharis palustris Common spikerush Perennial Native Riparian/Vernal Pools

Elymus elymoides Bottlebrush squirreltail Perennial Native Uplands

Elymus repens False quackgrass Perennial Introduced Wet Meadow/Riparian

Elymus x pseudorepens Quackgrass Perennial Native Wet Meadow/Riparian

Epilobium brachycarpum Tall annual willowherb Annual Native Widespread



Epilobium densiflorum Dense spike-primrose Annual Native Vernal Pools

Erigeron linearis Desert yellow fleabane Perennial Native Uplands

Erigeron poliospermus Purple cushion fleabane Perennial Native Uplands

Erigeron pumilis Shaggy fleabane daisy Perennial Native Uplands

Eriogonum compositum Arrowleaf buckwheat Perennial Native Uplands

Eriogonum heracleoides Creamy buckwheat Perennial Native Uplands

Eriogonum niveum Snow buckwheat Perennial Native Uplands

Eriogonum thymoides Thyme-leaf buckwheat Perennial Native Uplands

Eriogonum umbellatum Sulfur-flower buckwheat Perennial Native Uplands

Eriophyllum lanatum Oregon sunshine Perennial Native Uplands

Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue Perennial Native Uplands

Filago vulgaris Common cottonrose Annual Introduced Widespread

Fragaria virginiana Virginia strawberry Perennial Native Riparian

Fritillaria pudica Yellow bells Perennial Native Uplands

Fumaria officinalis Fumitory Annual Introduced Riparian

Gallardia aristata Blanketflower Perennial Native Uplands

Gallium aparine Sticky-willy Annual Native Widespread

Gallium boreale Northern bedstraw Perennial Native Widespread

Geranium pusillum Small geranium Annual/Biennial

Introduced Uplands

Geranium viscosissimum Sticky geranium Perennial Native Uplands

Glyceria striata Fowl mannagrass Perennial Native Riparian

Gnaphalium palustre Lowland cudweed Annual Native Vernal Pools

Grindelia squarrosa Curly-cup gumweed Annual/Biennial/ Perennial

Native Uplands

Helianthus sp. Sunflower Perennial Native Uplands

Hesperochiron pumilis Dwarf hesperochiron Perennial Native Riparian

Hieracium scouleri var. albertinum

Scouler’s woolyweed Perennial Native Uplands

Holosteum umbellatum Jagged chickweed Annual Introduced Uplands

Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley Perennial Native Riparian

Hypericum perforatum St. John’s wort Perennial Introduced Uplands

Idahoa scapigera Idahoa Annual Native Uplands

Iris missourienses Rocky mountain iris Perennial Native Riparian

Juncus balticus Baltic rush Perennial Native Riparian



Koeleria macrantha Prairie junegrass Perennial Native Uplands

Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Annual/Biennial

Introduced Widespread

Lactuca tatarica Blue lettuce Biennial/Perennial

Native Uplands

Lagophylla ramossissima Branched lagophylla Annual Native Uplands

Lepidium perfoliatum Shield peppergrass Annual Introduced Widespread

Lewisia rediviva Bitterroot Perennial Native Uplands

Leymus cinereus Great Basin wildrye Perennial Native Uplands

Linaria dalmatica Dalmation toadflax Perennial Introduced Uplands

Linum lewisii Prairie flax Perennial Native Uplands

Lithospermum ruderale Hoary puccoon Perennial Native Uplands

Lomatium gormanii Gorman’s biscuitroot Perennial Native Uplands

Lomatium macrocarpum Large-fruited biscuitroot Perennial Native Uplands

Lomatium sp. Biscuitroot Perennial Native Uplands

Lomatium triternatum Nineleaf biscuitroot Perennial Native Uplands

Lotus unifoliatus Bird’s-foot trefoil Annual Native Uplands

Lupinus sp. Lupine Perennial Native Uplands

Madia gracilis Common tarweed Annual Native Uplands

Madia sp. Tarweed Annual Native Vernal Pools

Medicago lupulina Black medick Annual/Perennial


Medicago sativa Alfalfa Annual/Perennial

Introduced

Melilotus officinale Yellow sweet-clover Annual/Biennial/ Perennial

Introduced Riparian

Microsteris gracilis Annual phlox Annual Native Uplands

Muhlenbergia asperifolia Scratchgrass Perennial Native Riparian

Muhlenbergia filiformis Slender muhly Annual Native Uplands

Muhlenbergia richardsonis Mat muhly Perennial Native Vernal Pools

Myosotis stricta Strict forget-me-not Annual Introduced Uplands

Myosurus sp. Mouse-tails Annual Native Vernal Pools

Navarretia intertexta Needleleaf navarretia Annual Native Vernal Pools

Nepeta cataria Catnip Perennial Introduced Widespread

Orobanche uniflora Broom rape Annual Native Uplands

Orthocarpus tenuifolius Thin-leaf owl clover Annual Native Uplands



Perideridia gairdneri Yampah Perennial Native Uplands

Phalaris arundinacea Reed canarygrass Perennial Native Wet meadow

Phlox longifolia Long-leaf phlox Perennial Native Uplands

Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Perennial Native Uplands

Plagiobothrys scouleri Scouler’s popcornflower Annual Native Vernal Pools

Plantago patagonica Hairy plaintain Annual Native Uplands

Poa bulbosa Bulbous bluegrass Perennial Introduced Uplands

Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Perennial Introduced Widespread

Poa cusickii Cusick’s bluegrass Perennial Native Uplands

Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass Perennial Introduced Widespread

Poa secunda Sandberg’s bluegrass Perennial Native Uplands

Polygonum douglasii Douglas’ knotweed Annual Native Uplands

Polygonum polygaloides Milkwort knotweed Annual Native Vernal Pools

Polypogon monospeliensis Rabbitsfoot grass Annual Introduced Riparian

Populus tremuloides Quaking aspen Perennial Native Riparian

Potentilla gracilis Northwest cinquefoil Perennial Native Widespread

Potentilla gracilis var. flabelliformis

Northwest cinquefoil Perennial Native Uplands

Prunus virginiana Choke cherry Perennial Native Riparian

Pseudoroegneria spicata Bluebunch wheatgrass Perennial Native Uplands

Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir Perennial Native Uplands

Ranunculus cymbalaria Alkali buttercup Perennial Native Riparian

Ribes aureum Golden currant Perennial Native Riparian

Rorippa curvisiliqua Western yellowcress Annual/Biennial

Native Riparian

Rosa woodsii Wood’s rose Perennial Native Riparian

Rumex crispus Curly dock Perennial Introduced Widespread

Schedonorus phoenix Tall fescue Perennial Introduced Wet Meadow

Schoenoplectus acutus Hard-stem bulrush Perennial Native Riparian

Schoenoplectus pungens Three-square bulrush Perennial Native Riparian

Sedum sp. Stonecrop Perennial Native Uplands

Senecio serra Tall butterweed Perennial Native Uplands

Sidalcea oregana Oregon checkermallow Perennial Native Uplands

Sisymbrium altissimum Tall tumblemustard Annual/Biennial




Sisymbrium loesellii Small tumblemustard Annual/Biennial


Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod Perennial Native Uplands

Sonchus arvensis ssp. arvensis Perennial sowthistle Perennial Introduced Riparian

Spartina gracilis Alkali cordgrass Perennial Native Riparian

Stellaria nitens Shiny chickweed Annual Native Uplands

Symphoricarpos albus Common snowberry Perennial Native Riparian

Symphyotrichum campestre Western meadow aster Perennial Native Uplands

Symphyotrichum eatonii Eaton’s aster Perennial Native Riparian

Taraxacum sp. Dandelion Annual Introduced Uplands

Thinopyron intermedium Intermediate wheatgrass Perennial Introduced Uplands

Tragopogon dubius Salsify Annual/Biennial


Trichostema lanceolatum Vinegar weed Annual Native Vernal Pools

Trifolium fragiferum Strawberry clover Perennial Introduced Wet Meadow

Ventenata dubia Ventenata Annual Introduced Widespread

Verbascum thaspus Common mullein Biennial Introduced Uplands

Veronica arvensis Corn speedwell Annual Introduced Uplands

Vicia sp. Vetch Perennial Native Uplands

Vulpia microstachys Six-weeks fescue Annual Native Uplands

Woodsia oregona Oregon cliff fern Perennial Native Uplands

Wyethia amplexicaule Mule’s ears Perennial Native Uplands

Zigadenus venenosus Death camas Perennial Native Uplands

Zizia aptera Heart-leaf alexanders Perennial Native Uplands


Swanson Lakes Wildlife AreaThe restoration objectives for the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area include:

• Improve ecological integrity by re-establishing shrub-steppe habitat connectivity for the recovery of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse.

• To restore/enhance wetland habitat and facilitate successional processes appropriate to site potential and capability (Z-Lake).

Restoration on the WLA has focused on old farm fields due to their deep soils. Areas selected provide the best restored habitat value for grouse; sites are selected based on their potential restoration success. Criteria includes deep soils and low sagebrush cover. Rocky shallow soils have a lower restoration success rate.

Restoration TechniquesThe shrub-steppe restoration protocol (WDFW 2011) was developed by the wildlife area staff based on more than 20 years of experience. The protocol includes the following tasks: Year 1: mowing, herbicide application, initial disking and harrowing to remove existing vegetation. Year 2: fields are kept vegetation-free with a combination of mechanical and chemical fallow operations through the growing season. The final seedbed field preparation will begin in late summer/early fall. Seeding will take place in late November. Air temperatures and precipitation will determine the actual date of planting. It is important to plant as late in the year as possible before the ground freezes, and to avoid heavy rains post-seeding. Once the project is complete, the wildlife areas’ staff strives toward making each project self-sustaining, meaning very little operations and maintenance activities will be required in the future. Table 15 describes the current restoration priorities on the Swanson Lakes unit.

APPENDIX E. Restoration Summary

Table 15. Swanson Lakes Unit Priority Restoration Sites (corresponds to map 5).

Planned Name Acres Description

In progress Welch Anderson 120 Recreation Conservation Office funded, completed by Fall 2015

Hawk Creek 275 BLM funded, completed by Fall 2015

Marlin Hollow 66 BLM funded, completed by Fall 2015

Not funded Phantom Butte 125 Former Conservation Reserve Program field. Applied for Recreation Conservation Office grant 2015.

Sandegrin 207 BLM


Z-LakeZ-Lake, located on the Swanson Lakes unit, has been the site of a successful riparian restoration project. Between 2012-2014, 50 acres of wetland, 570 acres of non-forest riparian habitat and 40 acres of forest riparian habitat were restored in the Lake Creek basin. The project was funded by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps and technical guidance was provided by Ducks Unlimited. This project restored functioning wetlands, increasing shallow water storage in the vicinity of Z-Lake, providing habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other species. The work was done to reverse artificial channelization for agriculture activities between 1930 and 1960.

Reardan Audubon Lake UnitThe restoration objectives for the Reardan Audubon Lake unit:• To restore Palouse grassland for species such as

sharp-tailed grouse, grasshopper sparrow, and burrowing owl.

• Serves as a pilot for future Palouse grassland restoration projects in eastern Washington.

• Plant vegetation to screen trail users from waterfowl and shorebirds using the pond to the north of the trail.

Reardan Audubon Lake unit restoration work was performed 2006-2011, after the unit was purchased by WDFW. The restoration sites, consisting of two large fields formerly in small grains, were restored to native grassland. The north field (54 acres) was completed in 2010. The 10-acre south field was completed in 2011 using wetland-compatible seed mix appropriate to the site. Restoration was funded by the State Lands Restoration grant - Recreation Conservation Office.In 2010, the Lincoln County Conservation District also planted 200 native shrubs and trees along the trail and viewing blinds. The south side trailside plot is doing well, and meets the objective.

Revere Wildlife AreaThe restoration objective for the Revere Wildlife Area: • To provide forage habitat for mule deer and upland

birds.On the Revere Wildlife Area, restoration was funded in the mid-1990s by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. This consists of 6-7 small (~0.6-acre) plots totaling about 11 acres, composed of shrubs and small trees, scattered throughout the property. These sites total 36 acres. The plots are visible to the public along the north side of the unit, above the banks of Rock Creek and near the irrigated hay fields. Seven small plots (11 acres) were also scattered around the unit, and planted to millet and corn annually from 1995 - 2007.

FundingOver the last 20 years, BLM has coordinated shrub-steppe restoration activities with Swanson Lakes unit staff. To date, WLA staff has restored approximately 1,400 acres of BLM lands near the wildlife area. This work has been funded by BLM. Swanson Lakes WLA staff is currently restoring 341 acres of BLM lands in Lincoln County, to be completed in late fall 2015. BLM’s Spokane District generally lacks the resources to implement restoration. In 1995, Swanson Lakes WLA staff restored an old 250-acre wheat field on BLM ground adjacent to WLA. This field became the site of a new sharp-tailed lek, the Reiber Lek, around 2010. No future specific projects are known to be in the works, at this time.

Future NeedsTwo future restoration projects have been identified (Table 15) in the Plan; the Phantom Butte restoration site (125 acres) located on Swanson Lakes unit, and the Sandegrin restoration site located northwest of Phantom Butte on BLM’s Telford/Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Swanson Lakes WLA staff submitted a State Lands Restoration – Recreation Conservation Office grant in 2015 for the Phantom Butte project. Other projects will be identified for Swanson, Revere and Reardan Audubon Lake units once the restoration plan is prepared in 2016.


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Map 5. Swanson Lakes unit grassland and shrub-steppe restoration, past and future.


Overview of cultural historyThe Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas are within the traditional territory of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, members of the Interior Salish Group. The ancestral homelands of the Spokane people stretched from the Idaho border to the confluence of the Spokane and Columbia rivers and included the landscape around the WLA. The Spokane had cultural and economic ties with the Kalispel (east) and Chewelah (north).According to Grant et al (1994), the Spokane lived in small villages made up of bands, which were grouped into three divisions along the Spokane River. The Lower Spokane occupied the area around the mouth of the river and upstream to Tum Tum. Their camps centered around the Little Falls of the Spokane. The Middle Spokane occupied the area around Hangman or Latah Creek. Their territory bordered the Coeur d’Alene to the south, and extended west to Idaho. The Upper Spokane lived primarily along the Little Spokane River. They occupied the region from the mouth of Latah Creek to the village of Tum Tum, and east to Lake Coeur d’Alene.According to Spier (1936), Ross (1998), and Sprague (1998), Rock Lake is considered one of the boundaries of the Sahaptian-speaking Palus (or Palouse) Indians, which means that it would not be unreasonable to assume that the landscape was also used traditionally by the Palus (or Palouse) Indians.The economic activities of the Spokane and the Palus followed a seasonal round of resources procurement similar to other residents of the Columbia Plateau. The activities of these people were centered around permanent winter villages located on or near major waterways; temporary camps were established at traditional hunting, fishing, or gathering locations. The salmon fisheries provided subsistence and surplus for trade from spring until fall; deer, elk, and antelope were hunted during the fall and winter. Food plants (e.g., camas, lomatium, and bitterroot) were widely used.

APPENDIX F. Cultural Resources Summary

In 1810, the North West Company established the Spokane House at the confluence of the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. The Spokane House was relocated to the future location of Ft. Colville following the merger of the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1821. Ft. Colville was established in 1825. Early Settlement Period history (1800 – 1850) reflects the cyclical flow of tribal people and native and non-native fur traders, trappers, and explorers across the landscape, as they moved from resource areas to campsites or village sites, or to one or both of the established trading posts.In the mid-1800s, a series of Congressional Acts opened the land for settlement. The Oregon Act (1848) established the Oregon Territory and the Donation Act opened the inland territories for settlement. Washington Territory was created in 1853, with Isaac Stevens as appointed Governor. The relationships between the tribal peoples and non-Native immigrants changed–gold was discovered; land claims were established; and Governor Stevens’ treaty program was initiated. The treaty program was interrupted by a war between the Yakama, Moses Columbia, Wentachee, Spokane, Palouse, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene and Cayuse and the U. S. Army, but was revived in 1859 and most of Stevens’ treaties were passed. Large numbers of the Palouse and Spokane people were moved onto reservations. The Spokane Reservation was established north of the Spokane River; many of the Palouse people were forced to move to one of the regional reservations (i.e., Colville, Coeur d’Alene, Nez Perce, Spokane, Umatilla, Warm Spring, or Yakama). Many Native American groups continue to return to the traditional gathering grounds in Lincoln and Whitman counties for spring root harvest and other traditional activities.The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area management plan includes three units. Although the broad history of the region provides a macro-scale context in which to evaluate the cultural resources in the WLA, the following WLA-level contexts may also be helpful.


Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area History. Not unlike the Revere WLA, the Swanson Lakes unit is in a transition area in terms of language grouping. In very general terms, locations to the north were within territories of Salishan speaking people, while areas to the south were in the territories of Sahaptin-speaking peoples. According to research conducted by Bennett et al. (2001), the unit is within “… the territorial sphere of influence of the Salishan speaking Sinkayuse or Sinkiuse tribe, also known as the Columbia, the Priest’s Rapids and Rock Island People, and the Moses Columbia. They lived along the Columbia River from Priest Rapids to the north. Their territory extended into the coulees east of the Columbia in the area known as the Big Bend. The Sanpoil and Nespelem also used the northwestern portions of the area. The Salishan speaking Lower Spokane used the eastern portion of the Swanson Lake unit. The Sahaptin Middle Columbia also entered the area.”Non-Native settlement in the area occurred somewhat later than was the regional trend, around 1880 – 1889, perhaps because farmland here was not as productive as elsewhere in the county. Interestingly, early demographics indicate there was a higher percentage of foreign-born immigrants to this section of the county than elsewhere. This difference may also account for the differences in early agricultural practices, which represented a diversified production (grain, vegetables, poultry, beef, and dairy) versus a strong focus on wheat. The unit is named in honor of one of these early settler families, who was one of the earliest families to establish an agricultural operation in the central portion of Lincoln County. Nels and Olaf Swenson arrived in Lincoln County in 1882, during the summers they contracted their draft horse teams to the Central Washington Railway, leaving them to range free, while the brothers returned to Sweden every year. Eventually they settled in and built a small cabin, then purchased land and raised cattle and hay. Another early family, the Hucks, arrived from Canada and became ranchers and supplied the U. S. Army with horses. Early ranchers and farmers in Lincoln County were eventually forced out by a decline in wheat prices brought about by a market glut. In much of the county, the family farm gave way to commercial farming. With the help of

the railroad and the advent of gold strikes in Alaska and Idaho, the Lincoln County economy survived. Through this upheaval, settlers local to the area continued to practice diversified farming and, little impacted by the boom-and-bust cycles, were able to maintain the family farm system through the post-World War II industrialization of agriculture. Archaeological Investigations. The most thorough survey of the unit was conducted in 2001; research associated with the survey included interviews with members of the Spokane Tribe of Indians and members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, pedestrian survey, but with no subsurface testing. The survey resulted in the identification of 14 precontact-era archaeological sites and two contact-era or ethno-historic archaeological sites. Subsequent archaeological investigations have been associated with specific projects (Derr and Harder 2014; Harder and Hannum 2013). Bennett et al. (2001) recorded 24 residential properties and refuse scatters associated with 115 years of non-Native settlement. Many of the sites can be connected to the Swanson and Huck families, as well as other early documented settlers.

Reardan Audubon Lake UnitHistory. The unit is within the source area for Crab Creek, located in the channeled scablands of eastern Washington. The regional landscape is characterized by basalt outcrops supporting swales and dunes of loess deposit. The immediate landscape is a wetland bordered by low basalt hills. Historically, vegetation would have included ponderosa pine, aspen, serviceberry, wildrose, elderberry, forbes, and grasses in the upland areas and wetland species such as bulrushes, cattails, sedges, grasses, and submergent plants. The presence of water and the accompanying vegetation and wildlife suggest that the unit would have a high potential to contain cultural resources.Precontact tribal land use would have been associated with the trail systems surrounding the area, and water resources available within the unit. There are no recorded traditional cultural properties within or near the unit; this does not preclude the possibility that such resources are present.


The early non-Native settlement, originally known as Capps, was established in the 1880s, the town was incorporated in 1903. Reardan was plotted by the Northern Pacific Railroad and named after C. F. Reardan, an engineer. Railroad development contributed to the rapid influx of settlers and later industry (e.g., the Washington Grain & Milling Company) brought more people in. Population growth plateaued in the 1920s. Historic maps (Page 1886) show the White Bluffs Road running south of town, while early General Land Office survey maps (1883) show a series of trail systems running to the east and west, through Sections 8, 9 and 11. Early roads often followed existing trail systems, the historic Colville-Walla Walla Road, for example, was developed from a precontact trail system, later used by settlers, and still later converted to a military road. Several springs and sinks are also shown on early maps; these features would have made the area and attractive stop for any pre-modern traveler. According to Land Patent data (BLM 2014), in 1891 the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 and the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 10 were owned by John Stanford Capps; the NW1/4 of Section 10 was owned by William Capps in 1894.Archaeological Investigations. There are no recorded archaeological sites, historic sites, historic structures, cemeteries, or barns within the unit. One cultural resource survey has been conducted within the unit (Engseth 2007); an additional survey was conducted a few hundred feet west of SR 231, outside the unit (Parks 1996). Nearby archaeological sites, dating to the precontact and early historic eras, provide evidence of land use associated with water resources. Later historic sites tend to be associated with ranching activities or post-settlement land use (e.g, the town dump, cisterns, foundations, or railroad).

Revere Wildlife AreaHistory. The wildlife area is located in the channeled scablands of eastern Washington. The regional landscape is characterized by basalt outcrops supporting swales and dunes of loess deposit. Historically, vegetation would have included forbes, grasses, and some shrubs in the upland areas and wetland species such as bulrushes, cattails, sedges, grasses, and submergent plants. The presence of water and the accompanying vegetation and wildlife suggest that the unit would have a high potential to contain cultural resources.Precontact tribal land use would have been associated with the trail systems surrounding the area, and water resources available within the unit. There are no recorded traditional cultural properties within or near the unit; this does not preclude the possibility that such resources are present.Archaeological Investigations. There are seven recorded archaeological sites; and no recorded historic structures, cemeteries, or barns within the unit. Several cultural resource studies have been conducted within the WLA boundaries (e.g., Ives 2009, Valentine 1995, and Tracy 1995). The Ives (2009) and Tracy (1995) surveys resulted in the identification of archaeological deposits. Six of the recorded archaeological sites are directly related to the historic occupation of the Revere Ranch House, the seventh site represents precontact-era Native American activities.Nearby archaeological sites, dating to the precontact and early historic eras, provide evidence of land use associated with water resources. Later historic sites tend to be associated with ranching activities or post-settlement land use (e.g, the town dump, cisterns, foundations, or railroad).


ReferencesBennett, Lee A., Astrida R. Blukis Onat, and Robert

Stone. 2001. A Transitory Boundary Cultural Landscape of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Prepared by BOAS, Inc., Seattle, for WDFW, Olympia and Creston. On file at DAHP, Olympia.

Derr, Kelly and David Harder. 2014. Results of a Site Damage Assessment of the Impacts to 45LI275, Lincoln County, Washington. On file at DAHP, Olympia.

Engseth, Martin. 2007. Cultural Resources Survey for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Reardan’s Audubon Lake Project Lincoln County, Washington. Prepared by Archaeological and Historical Services, Eastern Washington University, for WDFW. On file at DAHP, Olympia.

General Land Office (GLO). 1883. General Land Office Survey Map, Township 25 North, Range 39 East, Willamette Meridian. Electronic document, www.blm.gov, accessed April 2014.

Grant, F. R., Catton, T., Schneid, K., Newell, A. S.,. 1994. A Forest and a Tribe in Transition: A History of the Spokane Indian Reservation Forest, 1870-1994. Prepared by Historical Research Associates for the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Forestry, Spokane Agency.

Harder, David, and Michelle Hannum. 2013. Cultural Resources Survey of the Swanson Lakes Wetland Restoration Project, Lincoln County, Washington. Prepared by Plateau Archaeological Investigations, LLC, Pullman, for Ducks Unlimited, Spokane. On file at DAHP, Olympia.

Ives, Ryan, and Stan Gough. 2009. Cultural Resources Survey of Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Proposed John Wayne Pioneer Trail Revere Special Events Site Project, Whitman County, Washington. Prepared by Archaeological and Historical Services, Eastern Washington University, for WDFW. On file at DAHP, Olympia.

Page and Sons. 1886. Map of Washington Ter. Published by H.R. Page & Co., 1883. (Published as part of appendix to H.R. Page & Co’s Illustrated G4280 1886 .H77 Atlas of Winnebago and Boone Counties, Illinois . . ., Chicago, 1881 (1886). On verso, “Guide to Washington Territory.”). Electronic resource, http://kaga.wsulibs.wsu.edu, accessed April 2014.

Parks, Virginia. 1996. Cultural Resource Report for the Wegner Ranch Wetland Restoration Project Lincoln County. Washington. Prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, Sherwood (OR). On file at DAHP, Olympia.

Ross, John Alan. 1998. Spokane. In Plateau, edited by Deward E. Walker, Jr., pp. 271-282. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 12, William C. Sturtevant, general editor, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 2011. The Spokane Indians. Published by Michael J. Ross, Spokane, WA.

Spier, Leslie. 1936. Tribal Distribution in Washington. General Series in Anthropology No. 3. George Banta Publishing Company, Menasha,Wisconsin.

Spokane Tribe of Indians. 2012. A Socioeconomic Profile. Electronic resource, http://www. spokanetribe.com/, accessed April 2014.

Spokane Tribe of Indians. 2014. Children of the Sun. Electronic resource, http://www.spokanetribe.com/, accessed April 2014.

Sprague, Roderick. 1998. Palouse. In Plateau, edited by Deward E. Walker, Jr., pp. 352-359. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 12, William C. Sturtevant, general editor, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Stapp, Darby (ed). 2013. A Multidisciplinary Perspective on the 2011 Ethnography The Spokane Indians, with a Response from the Author, John Alan Ross. In The Journal of Northwest Anthropology, Volume 47, No. 1, pp 71-90.

Tracy, Ray. 1995. Cultural Resource Inventory Report Revere Ranch Site Development Walla Walla District, Corps of Engineers. Prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District.


Valentine, Nicholas. 1995. Cultural Resource Report for the Revere Ranch Wetland Enhancement Project, Whitman County Washington. Prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1, Portland (OR).

Walker, Deward E., Jr., editor. 1998 . The Plateau. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 12. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Womach, Marge. 2006. A History of the Early Days in Reardan and the Reardan Country (1826 – 1900), a Paper Read by Mrs. Reiha Before the Reardan Women’s Club. In Reardan History in the News. Electronic resource, http://wagenweb.org/lincoln/historyofreardan.htm, accessed April 2014.


Lincoln County Fire Districts – Swanson Lakes Unit

Fire District #7, WilburP.O. Box 445Wilbur, WA 99185509-647-5761Fire Chief, Wilbur Station:Kevin CoffmanP.O. Box 334 Wilbur, WA [email protected] Chief, Creston Station:Pat Rosman32755 Creston Butte Rd NCreston, WA [email protected] Station:Jim Derrer26241 Bobcat Trail ECreston, WA 99117509-977-1189Fire District # 6, HarringtonW 308 Willis, P.O Box 665Harrington, WA [email protected] ChiefScott McGowanP.O. Box 58Harrington, WA 99134509-253-4781Fire District #5, Davenport701 Morgan, P.O. Box 267Davenport, WA [email protected]

APPENDIX G. Fire District Information

Fire ChiefCraig Sweet P.O. Box 521Davenport, WA [email protected]

Lincoln County Fire Districts - Reardan Audubon Lakes Unit

Fire District #4, Reardan/Edwall/Long LakeLincoln County Fire District 4135 S Lk St, P.O. Box 295 Reardan, WA [email protected] ChiefRyan Rettkowski32153 SR 231 NReardan, WA 99029509-979-3371

Whitman County Fire Districts-WDFW lands - Revere Unit

Fire District #5, LamontWhitman County Fire District 5302 8th StLamont, WA 99017509-257-2493Fire ChiefEd Bageant22201 SR 23St John, WA 99171509-648-3242


APPENDIX H. Public Process Summary

Includes the following:• SEPA comment response• Wildlife Area Advisory Committee Meeting Notes (April 28, 2014 and April 1, 2015)• Public Meeting Notes (February 6, 2014 and May 19, 2015)

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan 2015

WDFW responses to public comments received during the public review of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan draft under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) from May 11, 2015 until June 11, 2015.

Comment WDFW Response I oppose special disabled angler drive-in access to the lake for several reasons:

--Z-Lake offers a rare opportunity for lowland hike-in fishing, where the angler who wants to go the extra-mile, can be rewarded with solitude or at least very limited competition and a low-key atmosphere. The closest similar opportunities to Spokane for walk-in lake fishing are a few lakes near Potholes Reservoir and the Ancient Lakes area near Quincy. (McDowell Lake is perhaps the closest walk-in opportunity to Spokane, and has a clientele that really likes it that way.)

--Disabled anglers have dozens of opportunities with developed launches and handicapped parking and access for good fishing waters in the Spokane region, including special regulations waters such as Amber, Coffeepot and Medical lakes.

--It's discouraging to people who are required to walk more than a mile into Z Lake and find a vehicle there with several people who drove in.

--Drive-in privileges open the door to potential abuses.

--The duck hunter game enough to pack in some decoys early in the morning is not going to be happy if somebody drives in later in the day. Same with the hikers who trek in to enjoy the solitude and wildlife viewing.

I recognize that some fishing clubs that have asked for the disabled access are the same groups that provide volunteers for maintaining the aerator and other projects.

A potential compromise would be to set up a couple of special work/fishing days for these volunteers. On those designated days, perhaps a

The Department of Justice published revised regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010.

Title II applies to State and local government entities, and, in subtitle A, protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities provided by State and local government entities. Title II extends the prohibition on discrimination established by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, to all activities of State and local governments regardless of whether these entities receive Federal financial assistance.

Part 35 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services

The purpose of this part is to effectuate subtitle A of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S. C. 12131), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities.

§ 35.137 Mobility Devices; addresses the use ofmanual or power operated mobility devices andwent into effect on March 15, 2011 mandating:

• Covered entities must allow people with

disabilities who use manual or power

wheelchairs or scooters, and manually-

powered mobility aids such as walkers,

crutches, and canes, into all areas where

members of the public are allowed to go.


limited number of, say, four vehicles would be allowed to enter the area for the work plus some after-work fishing.

Thanks for considering my proposal to eliminate the drive-in option for Z-Lake and make it a destination for the walk-in, bike-in angler.

Rich Landers Outdoors editor The Spokesman-Review 999 W. Riverside Ave. Spokane, WA 99201

(509) 459-5508

• Covered entities must also allow people

with disabilities who use other types of

power-driven mobility devices into their

facilities, unless a particular type of device

cannot be accommodated because of

legitimate safety requirements. Where

legitimate safety requirements bar

accommodation for a particular type of

device, the covered entity must provide

the service it offers in alternate ways if

possible.

§ 35.137(b)(1) Use of other power-driven mobilitydevices (OPDMD). A public entity shall makereasonable modifications in its policies, practices,or procedures to permit the use of other power-driven mobility devices by individuals with mobilitydisabilities, unless the public entity candemonstrate that the class of other power-drivenmobility devices (OPDMD) cannot be operated inaccordance with legitimate safety requirementsthat the public entity has adopted.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has enacted Policy 4033 to meet the Federal regulations listed above and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Upon credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person's lower extremity disability and after evaluating all the assessment factors required under § 35.137, and within Policy 4033, a permit may be issued for access to the person with the disability.

With Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Funds being used less and less for planting of birds why not use all of these land for habitat enhancement, food plots and water guzzlers and plant pheasants early in the spring to nest to further enhance upland bird populations. Mule Deer would also benefit/

Jeff May

Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Funds are used for habitat enhancement only on private lands. Further, the agency does not release pheasants for population enhancement (in the spring) but only for hunting opportunity in the fall.


15219 E Kallas Ct Spokane Valley Wa 99037 Please keep access to Z-lake limited to foot travel only other than to maintain the aerator. There are many other accessible lakes for the disabled person to visit but few near town that are limited to foot/bike traffic only. Thanks, Steve Shirley

See comment above.

Add the following text under wildlife area goals: Wetlands and riparian areas are other important habitats in this otherwise arid landscape. The Channeled Scablands (described further in Ecology section (soils, geology/hydrology), where these three wildlife areas are located, boast over 22,000 individual wetlands, covering over 77,000 acres. It is believed that 80% of all species found in this region utilize wetlands or riparian areas during their life cycle. Unfortunately, it is estimated that over 70% of these wetlands have been impacted by draining or otherwise negatively altered by human activities. WDFW has partnered with other entities to restore valuable wetlands habitats at the Swanson Lake Wildlife area Z-Lake unit and on adjacent BLM lands, and protect the valuable pond and wetlands at the Audubon Lake wildlife area. Wetland and moist soil unit restoration, enhancement, and management play an important role in maintaining ecological integrity of the wildlife areas, improving and maintaining wildlife species diversity, adding to recreational opportunities for the public, and enhancing habitats for many species, including the Columbian sharp-tail and greater sage-grouse, as well as a myriad of other bird species (i.e. waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds, songbirds and raptors), mammals, reptiles, and amphibians (Ducks Unlimited).

Text added.

Add text under success stories, restoration, second to last sentence: add restoration was also funded by Duck Stamp, NAWCA and Ducks Unlimited. (Ducks Unlimited)

Text added.

Add text under success stories second sentence, Reardan Audubon Lake – Washington Birding trail: include Lincoln Conservation District (Ducks Unlimited).

Text added.

Edit to Map #3 adding wetland to Reardan Lake We will not be developing new maps at this time


(Ducks Unlimited) but will provide this input for any new maps developed as part the restoration planning effort.

Table 5. What about the increase the amount of shallow emergent wetland habitat during the spring, for amphibians and other species? (Ducks Unlimited)

This activity may be considered in the future, funding is the major constraint. This activity will be considered as part of development of the restoration plan.

Table 5. Promote wetland management activities that help prevent bullfrog population establishment. For example, promote installing water control devices to aid the active draining of wetlands every 2 years to prevent bullfrog life cycle completion if bullfrogs are detected. (Ducks Unlimited)

Could be considered as long as scientific evidence suggests a benefit to native species.

Table 9. In table 5 there are some actions like keep reed canarygrass short, wetland management to prevent bullfrogs, etc, and those are not reflected here specifically. Where are the performance measures for those actions? (Ducks Unlimited)

At the time the Swanson Lakes WLA Management Plan was written the purpose of Table 5 is to describe SGCN species and recommended management actions (similar to best management practices) identified during the planning process each of the two wildlife areas. Table 9 contains specific goals, objectives, and performance measures were developed by the planning teams.

Climate change section – add the following text: There's no section on climate change as pertains to wetlands? This habitat will be impacted as well. Climate models state we will have less snow, more rain, in future climate change scenarios, and snowpack is currently the #1 predictor for wetlands. So wetlands will be reduced, then we'll experience hotter and longer summers, so the wetlands that do get some snowmelt or rainfall will dry out faster annually. Management actions can include filling ditches/installing water control structures to retain water longer, remove non- native vegetation, etc. (Ducks Unlimited)

Text added to table 7.

Table 9 objective “maintain or reduce the distribution of invasive weeds based on the Weed Management Plan” #3 add wetland text to all two wildlife areas. (Ducks Unlimited)

Text added.




Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) Meeting Monday, April 28, 2014 Davenport Community Hall 511 Park Street 6:30-9:00 pm

INTRODUCTION

Melinda Posner welcomed participants, summarized the agenda, and asked for self- introductions. Thirteen advisory committee members and three members of the public attended the meeting, in addition to the following staff: Lauri Vigue, Wildlife Area (WLA) Planning Project Manager; Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager; and Mike Finch, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Assistant Manager. A list of participants is included as an attachment.

ROLES & EXPECTATIONS: REVIEW OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHARTER

Melinda summarized the draft charter including the purpose of the WAAC being to provide input to the development of the new Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Plan. WAACs are one tool used by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to involve the public in WLA planning. Key WAAC benefits include representing views of varied stakeholder groups, two-way communication with constituents of stakeholder groups, identification of issues and concerns, and provision of local expertise and knowledge.

Melinda listed the responsibilities of WAAC members and staff, noting that both groups expect to work in collaboration. The key responsibilities of the WAAC are to review information, ask questions, provide input and work together to provide collective recommendations to the agency. Key responsibilities of staff are to lead the process, prepare materials and engage the WAAC in discussion about key WLA planning issues. The WAAC is not responsible for making decisions; however, the WAAC can help inform decisions made by the agency. Ultimately, the WDFW Director will approve the plan. Prior to that it will be reviewed at local, regional and headquarters staff levels. The WAAC is not required or expected to reach consensus, however, WAAC agreement on recommendations can potentially carry more weight.

Melinda reviewed discussion guidelines and outlined the schedule for WAAC meetings including a future meeting in June or July to review the draft plan and a final meeting likely in September to provide any final input to the plan. She introduced Lauri Vigue to discuss the overall WLA planning process. Melinda asked if the group had anything to add to the discussion guidelines


or questions about the roles and expectations. She confirmed that an expectation of staff is to distribute WAAC materials in advance of meetings so members have time to review.

WLA PLANNING PROCESS

Lauri outlined the overall purpose and overview of the process including the integration of new agency initiatives such as Wildlife Area Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), Recreation Management Strategy, Ecological Integrity Monitoring, Forest and Road management, and expanded public outreach through newly named Wildlife Area Advisory Committees (WAAC) and public meetings. Lauri described the Overarching Document, which will include information common to all 33 wildlife areas and guidance to staff and the public about how WDFW ‘s new initiatives will be considered in the planning process. Swanson is the first of four plans that are scheduled to be completed by July 1, 2015. Lauri introduced Juli Anderson to discuss each of the three Swanson Lakes WLA units: Swanson Lakes, Revere and Reardan Audubon Lake.

SWANSON, REVERE AND REARDAN AUDUBON LAKE UNITS OF THE SWANSON LAKES WLA

Juli shared an overview of each area including a proposed new land acquisition that will add 150 acres to the existing Reardan Audubon Lake unit. The WDFW is applying for Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) - Washington Wildlife and Recreation Project (WWRP) funding for Phase 2 Reardan Audubon this year (funding will be determined in 2015).

A description of each area and key issues is summarized here.

Swanson Lakes Unit – Description

• 21,000 acres - shrub-steppe and riparian habitat.• Critical habitat for sage grouse and sharp tail grouse• Purpose: Mitigation habitat for sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and mule deer• Funding source: Bonneville Power Administration and RCO 1990’s, fixed annual BPA

funding• Current objectives: Habitat restoration, grouse translocation

Swanson Lakes Unit – Issues

• Funding sources for ongoing restoration activities• Grazing (pressure from local landowners and trespass cattle)• Weed Control – sheer size of this unit requires diligence• Z-Lake - access and type of fishery


Revere Unit – Description

• 2,291 acres primarily shrub-steppe and Palouse grassland habitat• Purpose: Mitigation habitat for upland birds/mule deer• Funding source: Army Corps of Engineers 1992• Current objectives: Upland birds and mule deer summer range

Revere – Issues

• Hunting management – deer hunters can crowd the unit, but limited entry is not a goodsolution

Reardan Audubon Lake Unit – Description

• 277 acres - contains wetlands, vernal ponds, Palouse grasslands and channel scablands• Supports more than 200 species of birds• Purpose: Preserve upland and waterfowl habitat from urban sprawl, bird watching• Funding source: Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) 2006• Current objectives: Access development and habitat restoration

Reardan Audubon Lake Unit – Issues

• Herbicide drift – to and from the unit• Noise/dust/potholes – visitor traffic vs. south side neighbors• Restoration complete in 5-10 years, currently considered “weedy” – mostly south side• South trail beautification – more screen vegetation, signs, benches

WAAC COMMENTS ABOUT WLA ISSUES

The group was asked to identify any additional issues for any of the Swanson Lakes WLA units, and provided the following comments:

Swanson Lakes Unit

• The proposed passive re-hydration project – recharge the Odessa aquifer/groundwaterand local water bodies – could affect this area

• Are there other wildlife monitoring activities in addition to sage grouse and sharp tail?Yes, nongame monitoring activities may include amphibians, insects, etc., which theDiversity Division will inform.


• How are the poor habitat conditions of leks addressed? Staff does some mowing, whichhasn’t made a difference in attracting more grouse to these sites for lekking. ReardanAudubon Lake Unit

• City of Reardan has also been dealing with the dust and potholes on the road leading upto the access on the south side; received a grant but had to return funds due to cost ofchip seal project; potential for partnering with WDFW to address these issues

• Number of visitors? Not known but could be done through “counter”, which was usedby the City of Reardan in the past when residents complained of dust and issuesassociated with WLA visitors. The numbers did not justify action by the City but the Cityand WDFW may want to consider using a counter to assess number of visitors. Thereare two geocaches on site; these can be used to assess visitors numbers throughgeocache website

• What is the main goal of the new property? Phase II acquisition adds important uplandPalouse grassland, wetland and vernal pool habitat. Goals include preserving ecologicalintegrity on the site as well as providing watchable wildlife. Generally, the goal is tomaintain the new property in its current condition to provide shorebird habitat, andsupport waterfowl, upland game and birds, consistent with original WLA unit purpose

• City of Reardan has had requests for turtle crossing signs• This area is underutilized; need to promote to school children and others by offering

tours and site visits; Juli confirmed there are annual tours at Swanson Lakes Unit, wherekids are exposed to grouse tracking and nature hikes

• More recreation opportunities – including a potential loop trail for walking – wassuggested in north area or part of new property

• The location of scopes on the north side pose challenges for good bird viewing• Additional “duck blind” might be something to consider

DRAFT PLAN OBJECTIVES

Melinda distributed a copy of the Draft Plan Objectives, She noted that staff had started with the objectives identified in the 2006 plan, considered progress since then and any new initiatives or changed conditions. Lauri walked through the objectives and asked for committee comments and questions, which are listed below. Lauri emphasized that these are draft and will be further refined with input from Diversity and Game divisions of the agency.

• Food plots – change “3” to “2”• EIM – do volunteer hours as Master Hunter count towards complimentary Discover

Pass, as the volunteer hours from the EIM project? No, because master hunters receive


some other incentives. Volunteer projects that qualify for the complimentary Discover Pass are included on the agency website volunteer page

• Rare plant surveys, have they occurred on the wildlife area (Swanson’s only)? RareCare has completed surveys on the wildlife area. BLM monitors silene spaldingii ontheir lands.

• Recreationo Reardan loop trail – supported by Reardan City Council and Planning

Commissiono Push for more visitors to access the north side, to reduce impacts to residents

on the south, and to distribute folks; however, it’s better viewing from the southo There are limited “remote, wilderness” sites in eastern WA, especially in desert

area; keep it this way and don’t make it easier to access, such as drive-in to Z-Lake

o Z-Lake – improve north and south access with signage and gate design,coordinated and communicated with BLM

o Good maps are needed – low cost alternative is high-resolution version that canbe accessible through web and downloaded and printed by public; possibility ofa joint map with Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

o Web cameras – Can they be used to share grouse and other wildlife with kids in theschools?

o Upland hunting vs grouse – yes, hunting is allowed except at Reardan Audubon;currently issues of hunters impacting grouse habitat is minima

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following comments/questions were asked by the public:

• Regarding restoration, what level/what successions state/how “natural” is the targetthe agency is trying to meet? How is “pristine” habitat defined? In context of fireecology?; Jason Lowe from BLM has been conducting an assessment about and foundthere has been twice the amount of fire than what is expected – due to human causesand lightning; suggests adding more information about fire ecology in the Wildlife AreaManagement Plan; BLM is exploring the possibility of additional fuel breaks to stopcatastrophic fires.

Melinda asked the group if there were strong opinions about having public comment at the end of the meeting or informally throughout the meeting. The key purpose of the meeting is discussion among committee members. Input from the public and other interested parties can be helpful to committee discussion, and WDFW wants to encourage input from all interested


parties. The group agreed that public comment would be accepted throughout the meeting as long as the number of public members wishing to speak did not grow too large. In this case, the group would consider limited public comment.

NEXT STEPS

Staff will circulate a Doodle Poll for the next meeting in June or July. The group agreed that evening meetings starting at 6 p.m. are good.

Members were asked to review the committee roster and make any corrections. An updated version will be distributed to the group along with the final charter.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Agenda2. Meeting Attendees3. Advisory Committee Roster – Updated4. Advisory Committee Charter – Updated5. Draft Plan Objectives6. Meeting Presentation


Attachment 1 MEETING AGENDA

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) Meeting Monday, April 28, 2014 Davenport Community Hall 511 Park Street 6:30-9:00 pm

AGENDA

Time Topic Lead

6:30 Welcome and Introductions Melinda Posner/Committee

6:45 Roles & Expectations Melinda Posner/Committee

7:00 WLA Planning and Process Lauri Vigue/Committee

7:15 Swanson Lakes WLA Juli Anderson/Committee

7:30 Draft Plan Objectives Lauri Vigue/Committee

8:40 Public Comment Melinda Posner

8:50 Wrap-up Melinda Posner

Coffee and light snacks will be provided.


Attachment 5

Draft Plan Objectives

Objectives Performance Measures Tasks Swanson Revere

Reardan Audubon

Lake All 1 Annually consult and collaborate with

BLM. Attend x number coordination meetings, develop x number of contracts per year.

Attend regular coordination meetings, include BLM on WAAC. Review coordinated documents (management plans, recovery plans, RMP). List BLM as partners in grant applications. Define collective goals.

X

2 Meet BPA annual reporting requirements.

Annual contract approval by BPA

Quarterly reports, annual progress reports, statement of work, budget, inventory (Pisces reporting).

X

3 Provide secure boundary fence and gates between DFW and adjacent landowner (Swanson 60 miles of fencing and 50 gates). (BPA)

Maintain x miles of fencing/gate maintenance per unit

Maintain (repair/replace) existing fence. Lands Survey as needed, coordinate with Real Estate.

X

4 Maintain the restored shrub steppe in Reardan Audubon (x acres), Swanson Lakes (100 -1,000 acres BPA).

Acres characterized as EI A or B

Activities include maintain fencing, weed control, support the natural cycles, seral stages development.

X

5 Conduct weed control (BPA Swansons): 1,000 shrub steppe acres maintained; 400 acres of grassland; 150 acres of riparian.


Control weeds as per designated areas e.g. along 35 miles of existing fence,determined by EIM.

X

6 Maintain roads, culverts, parking areas, signs annually (BPA requirements for Swanson: 20 culverts, 7 parking areas, 100 signs, 1 kiosk) Items listed annually

Culverts: keep free of debris and repair as needed. Gravel roads/parking areas: free of washboarding, large rocks and holes. Signs: repair/replace/paint as needed.

X

7 Maintain leases (2) from WDNR (BPA)

Number of DNR leases annually Renew leases. Weed control

X



Reardan Audubon

Lake All 8 Maintain office building, shop

equipment, storage structures annually (BPA).

Number of building/structures annually

Develop plan for new well, septic system; develop a schedule for routine repairs (separate well/septic out?)

X

9 Complete the wetland /riparian restoration project for Lake Creek (50-100 acres) by end of 2014. Project complete

Confirming work with Ducks Unlimited, reviewing final report, sending info to Don Kraege (final payment).

X

10 Provide secure boundary fence and gates between DFW and adjacent landowner - Reardan Audubon (1/2 mile of fencing)



X

11 Provide secure boundary fence and gates between DFW and adjacent landowner *Need x miles Revere



X

12 Restore Shrub steppe habitat prior converted to soil banking programs (100 acres per year).

Acres per year Acquire funding (e.g. WWRP SLR Other sources?)

X

13 Maintain 2 food plots for sharp-tail grouse every other year.

Plots per every other year Maintain 2 food plots for sharp-tail X

14 Manage x number sage grouse for onsite population enhancement for 5 consecutive years.

Number of lek surveys occurring per year

If occurring, support translocation efforts, e.g. lek surveys.

X

15 Manage x number sharp-tail for onsite population enhancement for 5 consecutive years.

Number of lek surveys occurring per year

If occurring, support translocation efforts, e.g. supporting lek surveys.

X X

16 Maintain existing (2) agriculture fields annually

Number of active leases Meet with lessee once per year, review management of the flats, inspection twice per year.

X X



Reardan Audubon

Lake All 17 Provide logistic support for shrub

steppe research (non-game surveys). Number of surveys per year Assist in nongame surveys as needed

(jack rabbits, sage/sharp-tail). X

18 Remove structures, groves (non-native trees), and equipment that support artificially high predator densities or lead to direct increases in mortality rates of species of concern (x number per year).

Number of structures, linear meaurement, number of trees removed

Develop a plan to inventory/ prioritize the structures/trees, etc. Incorporate cultural resource evaluation prior to removal.

X

19 Manage () acres of shrubs-steppe habitat to meet ecological integrity A or B in 10 years


Shrub-steppe monitoring

X

20 Manage () acres of shrubs-steppe habitat to meet ecological integrity A or B in 10 years

Convert 70-90 acres annually back to native-like grasslands

Convert/restore remaining fields back to grassland.

21 Restore x acres riparian habitat. EIM to inform Acres characterized by EIM

EIM develops baseline conditions. Develop grant proposals.

22 Protect rare plants ( < 5 acres of silene spaldinii) Acres per year No herbicides X

23 Provide fishing access at Z-Lake. Provide fishing access at x sites by stocking annually with rainbow trout.

Maintain the aerator and solar/wind power units at Z-Lake.

X

24 Provide opportunities annually for watchable wildlife (2 blinds/4 telescopes) at Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area.

Number of physical structures

Maintenace of blinds/telescopes annually

X



Reardan Audubon

Lake All 25 Maintain 4 educational kiosks per

year. Number of kiosks Maintain structure, update ed material

as needed, checked at least once per year X

26 Conduct 2 public educational field trips each year.

Number of education activities conducted annually

Contact local schools, Audubon, advertise locally, organize logistics, coordinate with department staff and others on wildlife/habitat topics for speakers. X

27 Conduct public involvement activities (1 each WAAC/public meeting per year).

Number of public outreach meetings

Conduct outreach activities 1 WAAC and 1 public meeting annually.

X

28 Maintain three fire suppression contracts and support

Maintain three contracts, annual renewal

Develop/maintain fire district contracts. Coordinate with BLM to educate fire fighting districts on the new fire plan

X


5/5/2014

WAAC Responsibilities

Attend meetings

Review information, ask questions, discuss issues

Speak for respective interest group

Bring regional perspective

Identify and brief alternate

Become familiar with WDFW mission and WLA planning and

management goals

Work in a collaborative manner

Planning Team Responsibilities

Lead the process and WAAC meetings

Prepare and distribute materials

Answer questions

Promote transparency

Consider WAAC input in WLA plan decisions

Work in a collaborative manner

Decision-making

Who makes decisions?

How are decisions made?

What is the WAAC role in decision-making?

Discussion Guidelines

All members are expected and encouraged to participate

Everyone’s perspective is valuable

One person talks at a time

Refrain from side conversations

Stay focused on meeting purpose

Keep comments short – 30-second big ideas’

Keep an open mind

Turn off cell phones

WAAC Planning Milestones

Meeting Topic Timing

Meeting 1 Orientation

Introduction to planning process

Review objectives

Apr

Meeting 2 Review draft plan

Provide input prior to public meeting 2

Jun/Jul

Meeting 3 Consider public input

Review final plan

Provide final input

Sept

WLA Management Planning Purpose

• Articulate to WDFW staff and the public management

direction of WDFW lands, including new acquisitions and

restoration projects.

• Guide WDFW in prioritizing activities to achieve WDFW’s

mandate and strategic plan, while meeting the original

objectives of the funds with which the lands were purchased.

This prioritization will be used to support WDFW in funding

requests.

• Identify funding constraints and needs

• Provides transparency regarding decision making process


5/5/2014

Wildlife Area Planning Process

Overview

Agency Initiatives

Wildlife Area HCP

Recreation Planning

Wildlife Area Ecological Integrity Monitoring

Road Management Planning

Expanded public outreach

Public user friendly document

Overarching Document

Demonstrates to the public and providesguidance on how WDFW lands fit into largerplanning landscape

Provides overview of funding sources forpurchasing and managing lands

Provides an overview of agency initiativesand their application to WDFW lands

Swanson Lakes Timeline

Swanson Lakes Timeline

2014

Jan

uar

y

Feb

ruar

y

Mar

ch

Ap

ril

May

Jun

e

July

Au

gust

Sep

tem

be

r

Oct

ob

er

Task

Launch the Planning Process

Public Meeting

Review Draft Plan (DT/WAAC/Public)

Final Plan Review Draft (DT/WAAC/Public)

Final Approval

Final Plan on public website

WLA Planning Timeline

Swanson

Lakes

WLA

Klickitat

WLA

Sinlahekin

WLA

Jan

uary

2014

Ju

ne

2015

Four New Plans by June 2015

Oak Creek

WLA

Sep

tem

ber

May

Marc

h

No

vem

ber

Ju

ly

Marc

h

Jan

uary

May

Swanson, Revere & Reardan –

three separate units in

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area

Overview of each area

Purpose of property

Acquisition/funding requirements

Current objectives

Lands 20/20 Proposal

Reardan’s Audubon Lake

150 Acres

Conservation Values

Protects Palouse prairie grasslands, channeled scablands,

wetlands and vernal pools

Used by more than 100 species of birds

Important site for migratory birds

Connected to Department of Fish and Wildlife lands

Recreational Values

Wildlife Viewing

(Washington Birding Trail)

Nature photography


5/5/2014

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area

Swanson Lakes Unit

Swanson Lakes Unit

21,000 acres - shrub-steppe and riparian habitat.

Critical habitat for sage grouse and sharp tail grouse

Purpose: Mitigation habitat for sage grouse,

sharp-tailed grouse and mule deer

Funding source: Bonneville Power Administration and

RCO 1990’s, fixed annual BPA funding

Current objectives: Habitat restoration, grouse translocation

Swanson Lake Issues

Funding sources for ongoing restoration activities

Grazing (pressure from local landowners and trespass cattle)

Weed Control – sheer size of this unit requires diligence

Z-Lake - access and type of fishery

Revere Unit

2,291 acres primarily shrub-steppe and Palouse grassland

habitat

Purpose: Mitigation habitat for upland birds/mule

deer

Funding source: Army Corps of Engineers 1992

Current objectives: Upland birds and mule deer summer

range

Revere Issues

Hunting management – deer hunters can crowd the unit, but

limited entry is not a good solution

Reardan Audubon Unit


5/5/2014

Reardan Audubon Unit

277 acres - contains wetlands, vernal ponds, Palouse grasslands

and channel scablands. Supports more than 200 species of birds.

Purpose: Preserve upland and waterfowl habitat

from urban sprawl, bird watching

Funding source: RCO 2006

Current objectives: Access development and habitat

restoration

Reardan Audubon Issues

Herbicide drift – to and from the unit

Noise/dust/potholes – visitor traffic vs. south side neighbors

Restoration complete in 5-10 years, currently considered

“weedy” – mostly south side

South trail beautification – more screen vegetation, signs,

benches

Draft Objectives for Swanson

Lakes Wildlife Area Public Comment

Next Steps

First draft plan out for review June

Next WAAC Meeting July


Swanson Lakes WAAC Mtg. Notes

April 1, 2015

P a g e | 1

Swanson Wildlife Area Advisory Committee

Final Meeting Summary

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

McGregor’s, 20501 East Hills Road, Creston, WA 99117

6:00-8:15 pm

Attendees:

WAAC Members:

Elsa Bowen, Lincoln County Conservation District

Matt Erwin, McGregor

Lee Funkhouser

Lindell Haggin

Jason Lowe, BLM

Kim Marie Thorburn, Audubon

WDFW Staff Attendees:

Lauri Vigue, Planning Project Manager

Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager

Mike Finch, Swanson Lakes Assistant Wildlife Area Manager

Jeanne Demorest, WLA Planner

Mike Atamian, District 2, Wildlife Biologist

Kevin Robinette, Region 1 Wildlife Program Manager

Welcome & Introductions:

Lauri Vigue, Planning Project Manager, welcomed the group, and explained that the focus of the

meeting is to review the draft plan. She reviewed the agenda and let everyone know that public

comments would be accepted at the end of the meeting. Introductions were made.

WAAC Roles & Responsibilities:

Lauri reviewed the WAAC Charter and responsibilities for members of the WAAC

Schedule for Swanson Plan:

Comments are due on April 6th

Lauri will make revisions and then will make the plan available to the public for review.

Review final plan and provide final input in June

o Lauri asked if the committee would like to have a meeting to discuss input on the

final plan or if they would like to do the review via email. There was agreement

that email would be the most efficient.

Final plan posted to the website in July

Review Swanson Lakes Draft Plan:

Success Stories (Juli):



April 1, 2015

P a g e | 2

Lauri explained the status of the statewide goals and objectives and the status of the

statewide plan.

Reviewed the goals specific to this plan

Juli discussed the goals and vision for each of the WLA areas and gave an update on

sharptail grouse and restoration activities

Comments on the Introduction section:

If information is available add more on Revere, include something about BLM

partnership, Packer Creek.

Mention Z Lake as a partnership success with D.U., Spokane Fly Fishermen

Management Overview review (Juli):

Fishing opportunities at Rock Creek should be added

Comments on Management Overview section:

Table 4 – PHS information – confirm table headings, may occur vs. confirmed

Swanson lakes included in the Lake Creek Audubon Important Bird Area (specifically for

sage grouse).

Upland restoration at Reardan/Audubon should be mentioned

Comments on the Ecology section

Connectivity information

o Swanson lakes has the highest concentrations of focal species in the area – should

be mentioned in the plan

Management Directions – Plan Objectives:

Swanson Lakes

o Include citizen science in other areas in the monitoring section

o Intensive monitoring for grouse – how could other species be folded into this?

Develop a methodology that wouldn’t add a lot of extra work.

o Songbird survey methodology could be a potential

o Z Lake – recreational opportunities – what about watchable wildlife at this area?

Don’t want to increase access too much (poaching situation). Walk in is

enough and helps keep some of the issues under control

Parking – is there enough? Yes

North Access to Z-Lake, gates left open, issues with gates being left open.

Need additional signs to direct the public. This is adjacent to BLM land.

BLM can assist with this. Would not be the main access. Juli asked that

the committee send additional comments in to her. Perhaps a northern

access would be helpful

o Positive working relationships/Stakeholders – add “and neighbors”. Maybe a

separate objective that would be under the WLA Manager. Perhaps a neighbor

newsletter once or twice a year.

Revere

o No comments

Reardan – Audubon Lake



April 1, 2015

P a g e | 3

o Mike A. discussed the new acquisition, phase 2. It will be a place where

recreational activities can be diverted to this property to keep it out of more

sensitive areas. Potential for student activities here as well.

o Concern about birders going straight to the edge of the lake – should there be a

single trail to one area where these birds can be viewed without disturbing the

whole area? Add signage indicating reasons why visitors should stay on the trails

added at the existing kiosk.

o Will dogs/hunting be allowed on the new acquisition? All discussions have been

with the understanding that there wouldn’t be hunting. Dogs need to be on leash.

There may be an issue on the south half of the lake – landowner wants to have it

open to duck hunting.

Additional comments/concerns:

Lauri let everyone know that PAO would be scaling maps and developing a user friendly

version of the plan for the web.

Juli reiterated that the plan will be updated on a 2 year cycle. The focus of the updates

will be on the performance measures.

Decisions:

Final review will occur via email

Public comment:

Jay Fisher, Private citizen

o Sharp tail grouse – how come the numbers are declining even with

reintroductions? Could it be predators? Predator cover? Mike A. response: Early

1900s numbers would have been a guess. Decline in the 1970’s – more success

with populations on the WLAs than off. Also a balancing between habitats for

two grouse species. There have been predator reductions too.

Wrap up:

Comments due on the WAAC Draft Swanson Lakes Management Plan by April 6

Public meeting May 6 in Spokane at the WDFW Regional office.


Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee Meeting McGregor’s 20501 East Hills Road Creston, WA 99117

April 1, 2015 6:00-8:30 pm

AGENDA

Time Topic Lead 6:00 Welcome and Introductions Lauri Vigue/Committee

6:15 WAAC Roles & Responsibilities Schedule for Swanson Plan Lauri Vigue/Committee

6:30 Swanson Lakes WLA Draft Plan Juli Anderson/Committee

6:45 Management Directions - Plan Objectives Juli Anderson/Committee

8:05 Public Comment Lauri Vigue

8:30 Wrap-up Lauri Vigue

Coffee and light snacks will be provided.


Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan

Public Workshop Summary - FINAL

February 6, 2014

Introduction The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted a public workshop on Thursday, February 6, 2014, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at its eastern region office in Spokane. The purpose of the workshop was to share information about the wildlife area planning process and to solicit public and stakeholder input.

The workshop begins the planning process for revising the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan, one of 33 plans the department will revise over the next six to eight years. The plans go through a quick update every two years to reflect changes in landscape and management priorities; however, the longer-term revisions consider more comprehensively the status of wildlife species and their habitat, progress towards longer-term goals, and confirm or revise the objectives of the plans, consistent with acquisition or funding requirements. The plans will also consider the interests and impacts of user groups, influences of climate change, public use, facility improvements, forest management and ongoing operations and maintenance.

Over 20 people attended and signed the sign-in sheet, including representatives from Reardan and Davenport, Spokane Audubon, fly fishing organizations, local schools, and interested citizens and volunteers.

Workshop Format The workshop was designed in a combination open house/presentation format. Information stations were organized to encourage participants to select and discuss the areas of most interest, and to provide one-on-one staff engagement to answer questions, and discuss and record comments.

Station Title/Purpose Content Station 1 Sign-in for workshop

Sign up for advisory committee Identify where you are from on regional map Workshop agenda, comment sheet and area fact sheet

Station 2 Wildlife Area Overview & Swanson Lakes Unit

Wildlife Area Overview map Swanson Lakes Unit map

Station 3 Revere & Reardan Audubon Lake Units Revere Unit map Reardan Audubon Lake map

Station 4 Connectivity Connectivity map and materials


Staff presentation Melinda Posner, public outreach lead for the project, welcomed everyone and outlined the workshop purpose and format. She introduced the following staff members, and recognized Bureau of Land Management representatives and Spokane Audubon members, two key partners in contributing to stewardship values in and near Swanson Lakes:

Kevin Robinette, Regional Wildlife Program Manager, Spokane Madonna Luers, Public Information Officer, Spokane Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager, Swanson Lakes Mike Finch, Swanson Lakes Assistant Wildlife Area Manager, Swanson Lakes Paul Dahmer, Stewardship and Operations Section Manager, Lands Division, Olympia Lauri Vigue, Wildlife Area Project Manager, Olympia

Melinda emphasized the early stage in the planning process and the desire to hear from the public and stakeholders about interests, issues, questions and potential priorities for these areas. She noted multiple methods for providing comments including written comment sheets, flip charts notes, speaking with staff and sending email comments directly to [email protected] or to Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager, Juli Anderson at [email protected] or by calling (509) 636-2344.

Melinda introduced Lauri Vigue to share an overview of the wildlife area planning process. Lauri outlined the planning process for the 33 wildlife areas, including the formation of a cross-program steering committee, five “focus groups” for GIS, technical applications, performance measures, monitoring, weed management and recreation. She noted the plan will have new emphases in the following areas:

Wildlife Area Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Recreation Planning Wildlife Area Ecological Integrity Monitoring Forest Management Planning Expanded public outreach including public workshops and Wildlife Area Advisory Committees

(WAAC)

Lauri summarized the nine-month planning process for Swanson Lakes; the goal is to complete the plan by October 2014. Three other plans are planned for revision before July 2015, the end of the current biennium. These include Klickitat, Sinlakhekin and Oak Creek wildlife areas.

Lauri outlined a proposal to acquire an additional 150 acres of land adjacent to Reardan Audubon Lake. This project will be considered in the Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) 2014 grant funding process and, if acquired, will contribute to conservation and recreation values through protection of Palouse prairie grasslands, channeled scablands, wetlands and vernal pools; wildlife viewing and nature photography. This area is used by more than 100 species of birds, is on the Important Birding Map, and is supported through a strong partnership with Spokane Audubon.


mailto:[email protected]


Lauri introduced Juli Anderson, wildlife area manager for Swanson Lakes. Juli described the purpose, acquisition and funding requirements, and current and status of objectives for each of the three wildlife area units in this wildlife area.

Swanson Lakes Overview: 21,000 acres, shrub-steppe

Purpose: mitigation habitat for sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and mule deer

Funding source: Bonneville Power Administration and RCO 1990’s, fixed annual BPA funding

Current objectives: Habitat restoration, grouse translocation

Revere Overview: 2,291 acres, shrub-steppe

Purpose: Mitigation habitat for upland birds/mule deer

Funding source: Army Corps of Engineers 1992

Current objectives: Upland birds, Mule Deer summer range

Reardan Audubon Lake Overview: 277 acres, ponds, shrub-steppe

Purpose: Preserve upland and waterfowl habitat from urban sprawl, bird watching

Funding source: RCO 2006

Current objectives: Access development, habitat restoration

Juli welcomes phone calls and emails and noted that she and Mike Finch, assistant wildlife area manager, can be reached at the wildlife area most Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Public Comments and Questions Melinda summarized the opportunities for public input and asked participants to consider the following questions as they apply to each wildlife area:

Where and how often do you use these areas?

Where and how would you like to use these areas in the future?

What specific facilities or improvements are desirable for future public use?

What questions do you have?


What are you most interested in?

What are you most concerned about?

General questions and comments from participants are listed below, including comments collected at each of the information stations. Comments specific to each wildlife area follow. Melinda thanked participants, reminded them to sign up for the advisory committee if interested and asked them to identify any additional individuals or groups that should be informed about this process.

The “larger” public is not in touch with what is going on in these areas. The department needs amarketing and outreach effort to reach others.

Does the department have a public relations person who goes around to schools and otherorganizations to market – this is a very important way to educate and inform. The departmenthad more resources for outreach and education in the past; current funding constraints limit thestaff resources for these activities. The department seeks partnerships and hopes to develop“ambassadors” to assist with these activities. The advisory committee will be a good forum fordiscussing topics like education and outreach. The department needs to hear if this is a priorityfor the area.

Consider coordinating with Inland Northwest Wildlife Council (INWC ). Cancontributions/donations be made to these areas specifically? There are wildlife areas whereindividuals or organizations can make contributions that benefit specific wildlife areas directly.

Spokane Audubon and other groups have very robust school outreach and education programs;consider partnering up with them.

Murdock Partners in Science) is another group that works successfully with schools. They arewaiting for a grant that would allow them to do more outreach and education at Swanson Lakes

Is any of this type of coordination going on for Reardan? The department and Spokane Audubonare partners for Reardan. There has been and continues to be continued coordination. This isexpected to continue and the plan will help shape the focus of the coordinated effort includingpriorities for this area.

A number of university students have studied/worked on these areas. Seek partnerships or expertise to develop videos that can be used to promote these areas. (A

participant noted a local producer who might be a good contact). Has the department made progress in meeting objectives in these areas? What progress will be

made over the next 20-25 years? Yes, as Juli outlined in the presentation, progress has beenmade in meeting fish and wildlife objectives. For example, Swanson Lakes is just about “at theend of the line” in terms of grasslands restoration. There are only a few areas left to be restored.Now is the time to consider future objectives for this area.

What practices does the department use to minimize weeds? The department uses multiplestrategies for weed management including hand pulling, judicious spraying, planting of nativespecies and monitoring.

Do fishing and hunting license fees pay for operations and maintenance in these areas? Yes, inpart; WDFW budget is made up of about one-third fishing & hunting license fees, about one-third


general fund (WA sales tax), and about one-third other governmental sources (ie., federal mitigation, ESA, other cooperative funding). The Discover Pass – the vehicle access pass required to park on and visit state wildlife areas – provides partial funding for one wildlife area access staff person.

How will the public be informed? The department will utilize multiple methods to inform andengage the public including outreach with the media, direct email to the stakeholder database,public workshops like these, one-on-one stakeholder meetings, the advisory committee process,and other practices that are identified throughout the process. Because of limited resources andstaff, and because wildlife areas are spread over a large geographic area, the department’sstrategy is to engage and inform as many interested parties, and help these individual andorganizations become ambassadors for the project, helping to share information and “leverage”existing community and stakeholder networks.

Wildlife Area Unit-Specific Comments

Swanson Lakes Z-Lake: Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club (IEFFC) can help with operations and maintenance

activities at Z Lake; the aeration system works; some folks desire better access, which needs tobe evaluated. A priority is to keep remote/solitude values – these are good qualities.

IEFFC wants to help out with aspects of fishing management Look at curbing issues and potential alternative materials – safety, aesthetic issue?

Reardan Water main

o Driving damage by city; should we advise re: minimizing?o Incidental repair/maintenance items encountered; Lions to help?

New acquisition (+ existing) – new walking trail (ADA)? Railroad Street – dust, possible chip seal How to fund/accomplish O&M and repairs? (e.g. parking bumpers, install spares?) Problems with shorebird watching – could add trail and seasonal restriction signs (boardwalk or

drained?) Look at curbing issues and potential alternative materials – safety, aesthetic issue?

Revere May want to look at curbing here as well

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Meeting materials The following meeting materials are attached:

Agenda Workshop postcard


Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan Fact Sheet Comment sheet Advisory committee handout Map handout


WILDLIFE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN

PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Eastern Region Office, Spokane Valley, WA

February 6, 2014

5:30-6:00 p.m. Information Sharing Open House

6:00-6:45 p.m. WDFW Staff Presentations

Welcome, Introductions, Format – Melinda Posner, Public Outreach Lead

Overall Planning Process, Timeline – Lauri Vigue, Project Manager

Swanson Lakes/Reardan Audubon Lake, Revere Wildlife Area specifics - Juli Anderson, Wildlife Area Manager

Clarification Questions & Answers – Melinda Posner, Public Outreach Lead

6:45-8:00 p.m. Information Sharing Open House


We want your input!Plan to attend: WHAT: Public workshop to learn about the wildlife area planning

process and share your ideas about habitat management and public use.

WHEN: Thursday, February 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 1 Office

2315 North Discovery Place, Spokane Valley CONTACT: Juli Anderson - (509) 636-2344 or [email protected]

Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere Wildlife Areas

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

1111 Washington Street SEOlympia, Washington 98501-1091

wdfw.wa.gov


Swanson Lakes wildlife area management plan under way

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is kicking off a multi-year planning process for the department’s 33 wildlife areas with a public workshop for the Swanson Lakes Wildlife

Area Management Plan, which encompasses Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere. The new plan will address the status of wildlife species and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities.

• The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area includes 21,000 shrub-steppe acrespurchased in 1993 to protect populations of threatened sharp-tailed andsage grouse and other species. The property is adjacent to U.S. Bureauof Land Management lands and was purchased with Bonneville PowerAdministration funds set aside to mitigate for wildlife losses fromconstruction of Grand Coulee Dam. Since the last Swanson Lakesmanagement plan was completed in 2006, sharp-tailed grouse numbershave increased and sage grouse have been reintroduced.

• The Reardan Audubon Lake area, managed as a separate unit of theSwanson Lakes Wildlife Area, includes 277 acres of wetlands, grasslandsand a lake that support over 200 bird species. It is a very popular bird-watching site and is listed on Audubon Washington’s Great WashingtonState Birding Trail and the Ice Age Floods Institute National GeologicTrail. The site was acquired in 2006 with a state grant and help from theSpokane Audubon Society and the Inland Northwest Land Trust.

• The Revere Wildlife Area includes 2,291 acres of Palouse grassland andshrub-steppe. It was acquired in 1992 with Lower Snake River damconstruction habitat mitigation funds from the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers. Revere supports mule deer, upland game birds, raptors andother wildlife.

The public is invited to participate over the nine-month process, through public workshops, by sending public comments to [email protected], and by joining the citizen-member advisory committee that will be established to help guide the process. To apply send a letter of interest to Juli Anderson at 509-636-2344 or [email protected].

For more information:Juli [email protected]

wdfw.wa.gov

Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and Revere Wildlife Areas


WDFW developing new plans for 33 wildlife areasWDFW manages nearly 1 million acres of land, divided into 33 wildlife management areas. Each year these areas attract about 4 million visitors who hunt, fish and observe wildlife in their natural environments.

Each area is guided by a management plan that addresses the status of wildlife species and habitats, public recreation, habitat restoration, operations and maintenance (such as weed management and facility improvements), and other activities to meet the department’s mission of preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems. Plans are revised periodically to reflect current conditions and the progress of past activities, and to identify new management priorities.

WDFW involves citizens on advisory committees that help develop each management plan and provide feedback throughout the planning process.

For more information about the multi-year wildlife area planning effort, please contact Lauri Vigue at (360) 902-2549 or [email protected].

Whatcom

MethowSkagit

North Olympic

SouthPuget Sound

Olympic

JohnsRiver

Chehalis

ScatterCreek

Snoqualmie

Oak CreekCowlitz

MountSaint Helens

ShillapooKlickitat

Wenas

Colockum

L. T.Murray

Chelan

Wells

Le Clerc

Sinlahekin

Scotch Creek

SagebrushFlat

SwansonLakes

ColumbiaBasin

ShermanCreek

Revere

W. T.WootenSunnyside-Snake

River

AsotinCreek

Chief Joseph

Beebe Springs


Interested in becoming an advisory committee member for development of the Swanson Lakes, Reardan Audubon Lake and

Revere wildlife areas management plan?

WDFW seeks interested candidates to meet two to three times through the nine-month planning process to help shape the plan. The first meeting is planned for April or May 2014.

Benefits of membership: Ensure your views are heard Wildlife area advisory committees ensure that WDFW considers a wide range of perspectives as it develops wildlife area management plans. Plans are revised every six to eight years, with two-year updates. Members also provide input about ongoing land management activities that support successful implementation of the wildlife area plans, consistent with the agency mandate.

Committee members will: • Review and comment on planning information;• Represent formal and informal stakeholder groups and communicate with others

who share your interest or belong to your organization;• Learn about the WDFW mission and goals; and, most importantly• Share your priorities for wildlife areas land planning and management.

To apply, send a letter of interest to: Juli Anderson [email protected]

Please include: 1. Name, address, phone and email2. Name and contact information of interest group you would represent3. A description of why you are interested4. A summary of your experience with this or other wildlife areas and land management

issues (helpful but not required)5. Your resume, if available

Questions: Contact Juli Anderson at 509-636-2344 or [email protected].




Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan: Comment Sheet

We invite you to share your ideas, values and concerns about the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan by filling out this comment card and returning it to any of the WDFW staff or to the comment box. If you would like more time, you may send your comments to Melinda Posner via email at [email protected] or mail them to:

Melinda Posner Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091

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Visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/swanson_lakes/ for more info

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 1111 WASHINGTON ST SE, 600 CAPITOL WAY NORTH, OLYMPIA, WA 98501-1091



http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/swanson_lakes/

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan

Public Workshop Summary – Final

May 19, 2015

Introduction The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted a public workshop on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at its Region 1 office in Spokane Valley. The purpose of the workshop was to provide to the public the draft Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area management plan and to solicit public and stakeholder input for State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

Six members of the public attended including representatives from Spokane Audubon, Trout Unlimited, Inland Northwest Land Trust and interested citizens.

Staff presentation Kevin Robinette, Regional Wildlife Program Manager, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Melinda Posner, public outreach lead for the project, outlined the workshop purpose and format. The following staff members participated:

Kevin Robinette, Regional Wildlife Program Manager, Spokane Mike Atamian, Regional Wildlife District Biologist, Spokane Madonna Luers, Public Information Officer, Spokane Juli Anderson, Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager, Swanson Lakes Lauri Vigue, Wildlife Area Project Manager, Olympia

Melinda described the purpose of the new management plan which sets the vision and management activities for the next 8-10 years; includes expanded public and stakeholder participation and ensures our lands are managed consistent with our mission and funding obligations. The overarching document was introduced which provides an overview of laws, rules, polices and new initiatives that direct our wildlife areas.

Lauri provided an overview of the draft plan by section (introduction, management overview, ecology, and recreation), and the appendix which included the weed control plan and the restoration plan and cultural resources overview. The goals of the Swanson Lakes, Revere and Reardan Audubon were introduced:

• Maintain or improve the ecological integrity of priority sites.• Recover Columbian sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse populations in and around the wildlife

area.• Maintain and enhance mule deer and upland game bird populations.• Achieve species diversity at levels consistent with healthy ecosystems.


• Support and maintain appropriate recreation opportunities.• Offer multiple and varied opportunities for stakeholder participation and engagement.• Maintain productive and positive working relationships with neighbors, partners and

permittees.

Under the Management Direction and Approach section of the plan Lauri introduced common objectives that occur on all three wildlife areas. Examples include restoration planning, weed control, ecological integrity and building citizen science. Other common objectives include fence inspection and maintenance, coordinating and maintaining a wildlife advisory committee.

Objectives of the each individual wildlife area were then introduced. Emphasis at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area will continue to be recovery efforts and habitat restoration for sharp-tail grouse and greater sage-grouse. Z-Lake fish monitoring will continue with the Fish Program as the lead. Management emphasis at Revere Wildlife Area includes riparian restoration, sharp-tail grouse surveys and mule deer enhancements. The focus of Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area is land acquisition, watchable wildlife, and installation of recreational access structures.

Planning timeline:

SEPA 30-day public comment period ends June 11th

Final plan posted to the website July 31st

Public Comments and Questions General questions and comments from participants are listed below.

• Add wild turkeys to recreational hunting list• Day use vs. overnight camping. Providing camping opportunities on our lands could help

supplement the budget• Work with school districts to get more for less• What will WDFW look like in 10 years? We want to maintain hunting, fishing and respond to

other user groups• We have 3 agriculture leases on the two wildlife areas (Swanson Lakes and Revere).

Wildlife Area -Specific Comments

Swanson Lakes • Z-Lake Access: Comment from Rich Landers, Spokesman Review, is opposed to disabled angler

drive-in access to the lake (see attachment) since Z-Lake offers a rare opportunity for lowlandhike-in fishing.

• Swanson Lakes WLA was featured on a recent National Geographic article. The link to this videowill be placed on the website.


• Why is grazing not allowed on Swanson Lakes WLA? It is required under the agreement withBonneville Power Administration that the Swanson Lakes WLA wildlife area provide criticalhabitat for sharp-tail and sage-grouse. Cattle and grouse are not compatible. Buffers andnesting for sage-grouse take up most of the wildlife area. BLM has a different philosophy ongrazing

• Maintain fishing opportunities at Swanson Lake WLA• Coordinate with BLM on signage at trail at the north end of Swanson Lake.

Reardan Audubon Lake • Reardan Audubon Lake is in three different watersheds.• Consider adjusting the height of scope structures. Work with Audubon to fix this issue.• Audubon suggested a board walk along Audubon Lake. WDFW needs to balance that request

with providing critical habitat and protecting migratory birds which is consistent with thefunding source (WWRP).

• We will be working with Audubon and Inland Northwest Land Trust to identify future recreationneeds.

• The phase II acquisition is a gem. Thank you to the land trust for stepping in to purchase thisproperty.

• There is interest in a boat launch and picnic areas• Very good job on the prairie restoration• Do you keep track of visitors and know who is visiting?

Main Issues

• Z-Lake access for the disabled. (described above)• Dwindling funding from Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Funds for upland bird

restoration. Could all of these funds be used for habitat enhancement, food plots and waterguzzlers?

• Permit only hunting. Pros and cons. Will program continue?• Status of citizen science? Training has not occurred on Swanson Lakes WLA for quite some time.

There would be more local support for WLA if citizens are involved.Agency also has volunteers to survey sharp-tail and sage-grouse

• Do we work with Douglas County? Mostly private citizens involved• Are there volunteer opportunities to monitor birds? Yes, but less opportunities due to less birds

on the WLA. Last count was 36 birds, 1 sage-grouse lek on the wildlife area which is pretty goodfor Washington

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.


WILDLIFE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN

PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Eastern Region Office, Spokane Valley, WA

May 19, 2015

6:00 p.m. Welcome – Kevin Robinette, Wildlife Program Regional Program Manager

6:10-6:20 p.m. Agenda Review & Meeting Overview – Melinda Posner, WLA Planning Section Manager

6:20-6:50 p.m. Staff Presentation

Wildlife Area Planning Overview – Melinda Posner

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan Highlights – Lauri Vigue, Project Manager

6:50-7:20 p.m. Plan Comments & Issues – Julie Anderson, Wildlife Area Manager

7:20-8:00 p.m. Stations for Additional Public Comment - All


8:30 p.m. Adjourn


Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management Plan including Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area Unit

Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management Plan including Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area Unit

Documents

Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Areas Management PlanNational Geologic Trail and the Great Washington State Birding Trail. The Revere Wildlife Area encompasses 2,291 acres in northwest